WARNING:Graphic Content- Danger of Chinese Lanterns

[JonathanD]

I don't think anymore needs to be said, except for all of us to discourage and spread the word on the havoc and destruction they cause.


http://www.thewildoutside.com/index.php/news/233-chinese-lantern-dangers

 

[SoggyBiscuit]

I've never been a fan of these things purely because of the litter issue but had no idea they could be so dangerous to wildlife. Will be sharing this with friends and family Jonathan. Cheers!

 

[ArkAngel]

Litter hazard, fire hazard now wildlife hazard.....these things really need to be banned

 

[JonathanD]

I've seen loads of these over heathlands, usually the wire skeleton, and sometimes surrounded by a few metres of charred heather. Luckily none of those ever caught. I've only seen one animal trapped in one and that was a small Roe buck. But a huge number of naturalists I work with have told me of first hand accounts of the bizaare ways in which they cause death and destruction. I think that picture says it all and is powerful enough to convey the message without an explanation.

 

[Fraxinus]

Farmers have been against these things for years, pretty sure there was an article on Countryfile a while back too. Farmers losing stock or crops is a less emotive issue for much of our pre-packed food buying public so making the wildlife issue bigger may get them to think twice before lighting one up.

Rob

 

[mountainm]

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=96918

 

[Gimli]

Litter hazard, fire hazard now wildlife hazard.....these things really need to be banned

I'll add an aviation risk to that too, they are a nightmare when flying at night. All you see is an orange light and you have no concept of what it is, how big it is, how far away it is or the direction of travel.

 

[dwardo]

About the only way you could make these things more dangerous is to strap explosives to them as well.
As said above should be classes as littering if not arson.

 

[allrightscud]

The national farmers union had started a campaign a few years ago to have them banned. A lot of livestock get injured with the wire left over not to mention the inherent fire risk. Most other European countries have already banned them. There was a e petition going around. In any other situation setting fire to something and sending it over some ones property would be illegal It’s a totally irresponsible folly for a few seconds entertainment.

 

[swotty]

Dreadful things, which is a shame because they seem so harmless on the face of it but cause so many problems.
I nearly had a bit of an incident when stupidly,whilst drunk, a few years ago I decided to relaunch some using my own propulsion method. I won't go into details but it nearly set fire to a neighbours flat roof, needless to say I haven't touched them since.
I think Jonathan's picture is evidence enough for a ban on them.