Sky lanterns are a beautiful sight, but the potential damage they can cause is significant.
They use the heat of a naked flame to float. They’re not only a fire hazard but a danger to livestock, agriculture, camping activities, thatched properties and hazardous material sites.
Whilst lighting and launch are mostly in the control of the user, the actual flight path and end destination are not. There’s no guarantee that the fuel cell will be completely out and cooled when the lantern eventually lands, and any contact with a flammable surface could result in a fire.
There is evidence of them causing fires, wasting police time, being mistaken for distress flares, misleading aircraft and killing livestock.
West Midlands Fire Service doesn’t support the use of these devices and we urge members of the public and event organisers not to use them.
