Fire crews: Think twice before using sky lanterns
West Midlands Fire Service is asking people to think twice about using sky lanterns this festive season.
Whilst these lanterns are a popular and beautiful sight, the potential damage they can cause is significant.
As well as being a fire hazard, they also pose a risk to livestock and agriculture, camping activities, thatched properties and hazardous material sites
Advice from the service says whilst lighting and launch are mostly in the control of the user, the actual flight path and end destination are usually not. There is no guarantee that the fuel cell will be completely out and cooled when the lantern eventually descends and any contact with a flammable surface could result in a fire developing.
The service does not support the use of these devices and asks members of the public and event organisers to refrain from using them.
"West Midlands Fire Service don't want to stop people's enjoyment but urge everyone to think twice about the impact of a sky lanterns."
In June 2013 a blaze started from a stray Chinese lantern at Smethwick's Jayplas recycling plant and caused £6 million worth of damage.
It was the biggest blaze ever seen by West Midlands Fire Service, and was fought by 200 firefighters.
