Chinese or paper lantern dangers prompt government guidance, ranging from lamp design to advice on where and how to set free
James Meikle The Guardian 20 Aug 14;
Chinese and other paper lanterns should not be released by people under the influence of alcohol and air-traffic control should be notified if lanterns are to be set free within 10 miles of an airfield, according to new government guidance.
The guidance also says that instructions for use of sky lanterns, under a industry-written code of practice and endorsed by ministers and trading standards officials, should include prosecution warnings.
The change follows growing concern about the risk from lanterns to people, wildlife and the environment, farm animals, aviation, property, including campsites and waste sites, and coastal rescue services.
The guidance, which also gives requirements over lantern design, size, shape, manufacture and safety checks, says the floating lights must always be launched by two people, one holding the item, the other igniting the fuel cell, and that launchers should not be under the influence of alcohol nor set free the lights near crops, haystacks or power lines.
Air traffic control at any airfield within 10 miles must be notified before lanterns are launched, as must local coastguards if the location is near the sea.
Event organisers are also advised to ask local authorities for risk assessments and not to release lanterns in wind speeds of 5mph or higher. The new code also says lanterns should be biodegradable, not harmful to animals, and not coloured red or orange to ensure they are not mistaken for distress flares.
Age checks on buyers should also be made to help ensure lanterns, which are also commonly used at private celebrations, are sold to, and used by, adults.
The industry code was published a year after chief fire officers appealed for the public and event organisers not to use lanterns of this kind. At an industrial fire in Smethwick, west Midlands, last summer, 10 firefighters were injured in a blaze said to have been caused by a Chinese lantern.
The government rejected calls from farming groups and animal charities for a lantern ban. Meanwhile the National Outdoor Events Association asked its members not to use them, citing their "danger", and Tesco and Poundland were among retailers who stopped selling lanterns.
The industry code followed talks with the government and was approved and published by the Trading Standards Institute.
George Eustice, the minister for farming, said the rules would help ensure sky lanterns were safe, biodegradable and sold responsibly. "People are becoming more aware of the dangers of sky lanterns and how to reduce the risk of causing damage. Over the last year Defra has highlighted these risks, and a number of retailers have decided to stop selling them while some local authorities and event organisers have banned sky lanterns altogether."
The Chief Fire Officers' Association, which had wanted a government review of lantern safety, called the guidance a step forward towards minimising the potential risks and encouraging best practice.
