Council acts to curb the use of sky lanterns

Coventry residents are being asked to back a scheme to reduce the use of sky lanterns at Council events, and on Council owned land hired for events.

So far 33 local authorities have introduced similar policies due the potential impact of sky lanterns on the environment, wildlife and farm animals.

The possible risks were highlighted a year ago when West Midlands Fire Service identified a sky lantern as the likely cause of a devastating fire in Smethwick which caused £6million worth of damage.

Cllr Damian Gannon, Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance and Resources said that encouraging residents not to use sky lanterns at Council run events or on land owned by the Council was a sensible step.

He said: “Sky lanterns are not prohibited in the UK but there is enough evidence for us as a Council to try to mitigate the effects of lanterns. There is an issue of unregulated manufacture and therefore potential hazards of sky lanterns.”

The proposal will see a restriction in the release of sky lanterns at Council run events, events that are undertaken on City Council owned land or funded by the Council.

He added: “When people apply to stage an event on Council owned land we always ensure agreement from the organisers to follow safety guidelines that we set out. Whether that is managing car parking or ensuring food standards that are sold at an event we have a responsibility to work with organisers so that events can be successful but most importantly – safe.”

Sky lanterns (known by a variety of names including Chinese lanterns) are small hot air balloons made of paper, with an opening at the bottom where a small fire is suspended on a base framework containing an ignition source.

Evidence suggests lanterns sometimes drift back to land whilst still alight. Internationally many countries have banned the use of sky lanterns

The RSPCA are amongst those urging individuals to use alternatives to sky lanterns and to ask event planners and retailers to use alternatives as well.

Two professional bodies for events professionals – the Local Authority Events Organisers Group and the National Outdoor Events Association also support the ban on lanterns.

The use of sky lanterns is also prohibited at the Glastonbury Festival. Tesco stopped the sale of Sky lanterns in 2012.

Currently there are no national or international product standards for the design and manufacture of the lanterns, resulting in them being presented in varying degrees of quality, shapes and sizes. Poorer quality lanterns present a wide range of potential hazards that increase the risk to both user and environment.

In a nationwide survey in 2011, a third of Britain’s fire brigades said they had received emergency callouts to extinguish lanterns. Damage included scorched gardens and roofs.

West Midlands Fire Service is appealing to people not to use sky lanterns as part of their New Year celebrations.

Watch Commander Steve Price of West Midlands Fire Service, said: “We want everyone to have a very happy and safe Christmas and New Year. Lots of people enjoy fireworks on 31 December. We’d prefer people to go to organised events and, if they must use them at home, to do so safely with all the right precautions in place.

“Sky lanterns pose a different risk, because they’re a floating naked flame. There’s no control over how far they’ll go, or where they’ll land. We’re repeating our request for shops not to sell them, and for people not to buy or use them.”

The lanterns are at their most dangerous in the summer months because of the drier conditions.

A warning issued by the Department for Communities and Local Government is published on the department’s website and says “We recommend you do not use sky lanterns as you have no control over them once they have been set off. They can kill animals, litter the countryside and start fires. If you do choose to set them off, always follow the manufacturers’ guidance/instructions carefully.”

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For once Cllr Damian Gannon speaks a little sense