Chinese lanterns

[abstibus]

The fireworks thread has prompted me to ask this. There seems to be a fashion for Chinese lanterns to be sent up at weddings and on other occasions. I think they should be discouraged, as they can pose a danger for livestock and birds.
How do you feel about them?

[RevArkwright]

Dangerous and should be banned.

[plowter]

A new form of litter. The wire causes serious harm to wildlife and farm animals wherever it lands.

[friedgreentomato]

Love them if set of correctly they are beautiful

[MASS1961]

Used to see a lot of them but not any more round here? Whether they've been banned, I'm not sure?

[Bluestone]

I have used them in the past. Until I saw this...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/...ucestershire-15439322

[vulcan]

They can cause fires too.

[Bluestone]

They can, yes. And cows eat them, apparently?

[woofgang]

blooming dangerous. here in the New Forest they have frightened and endangered roaming livestock and set fire to at least one thatched roof.

[tonyav]

Look great, but boy are they dangerous.

[boxtops]

we are supposed to notify the coastguard if they are set off around here, as they sail out over the Channel and the lifeboat has been launched more than onece, as they look like distress flares.

that owl story is really sad.

[DTCwordfan]

if you have lived in a thatched cottage..........no bleddy way! And not forgetting the moos, etc.

[Bluestone]

Oh god, yeah! Never thought about thatched cottages. Blimey!

[Graham-W]

You can get them with thin bamboo fittings instead of wire. These would have less environmental impact.
They do look nice, but not to be flown in high winds or when there is a danger of fire. The flame should go out before they come down.

[Baldric]

I live on the coast, after dark the damn things are often mistaken for distress flares, not good!

[boxtops]

same coastguard ^, baldric - there were some over the other night, I bet they hadn't notified anyone

[madmaggot]

Same as you Anne; they're dangerous and foolish. Another example of people only thinking of themself and not giving a damn for anyone else because they look pretty! Does a house going up in flames or an animal with these wires stuck inside it 'look pretty'?

[Baldric]

That'll teach me to read the whole thread before replying
;o)

[Laelia]

anne,
cheap tat & dangerous.. whoever sells these lanterns are irresponsible & put profit befor conscience.

[chaptazbru]

I think they should be banned along with the helium filled balloons you often see soaring into the sky. Both are extremely dangerous to livestock and wildlife, and the lanterns can cause fires.

[chaptazbru]

Bluestone that picture is just terrible.