Chinese Lanterns
 

Safe or not?

Saw a programme about this last week (well, featuring it) and farmers etc were saying they set crops on fire. Didn't believe it but also didn't think much of it at the time. But generally thought "no, heat rises - the flame will be out by the time it hits the floor again"

They seem the 'latest' thing for celebrations. But oddly enough of all the sheds in all the world, a bloody chinese lantern landed on mine and it was all scorched. Thinking again now. Me bloody shed might have gone up :joker:

I suppose the embers are still hot. They are so beautiful in the nights sky though.

I love how many people think we're being invaded by aliens when theres a lot :joker:

thats exactly what we thought 2 years ago when we were out on the beach at night and saw them.

I even whipped my camcorder out and filmed them.

Theyre regularly set off now on the beach just near me.

They do look surreal. New Years Eve we see loads

Hahaha, that was similar to me. I had just finished work and there was a crowd of people by the river all looking at something so I joined them and we were all puzzled as to what they were.

The one on our shed was pretty huge. Never seen one up close before

...On the 10th of September, Ireland is lighting these of in memory of anyone who has killed themselves or people who have been affected by Suicide in any way, shape or form.

Seems like a pretty awesome idea, it's just trying to buy the stupid lanterns that is the problem.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=208535032516935

Can't see the page. Not a member. They are beautiful. Well, when flying

Saw them at New Years and thought it was something flying in from space, theyre really quite charming.

They're like the new fireworks. :love:

'cus on Halloween everyone had them flying, I remember I was pissed and was going to my mate's house in a Taxi and seen one flying and I thought the world was ending right there and then.

The worrying thing is though, I didn't even panic - I just remember looking at the Taxi Driver in distraught and then going on Facebook on my phone, just accepting the fact the world was about to be hit by a meteor.

They do look nice but dont buy the ones with wire frames if you want to buy them online search for eco lanterns they are the same price but have a wooden frame instead of the horrid wire frames.

My friend and her family set a few off in memory of her grandma. I think the idea is lovely but maybe not in areas of heavily agricultural land :joker:

I think they're really pretty. :love:

I like to see them too,think they look really good.
Pity about your shed Kerry, perhaps some modification is needed to ensure safety once they come down again.

This is another of those subjects about which MPs from rural areas are getting a lot of correspondence. In the area where I live a little boy had his face burnt by the wax inside a lantern that tipped as it took off, animals are being injured by the wire frames that land in the fields, several farmers have had crops set alight and at a local riding school, two horses were burned to death when one landed on the roof of a stable and set the place on fire. There have been calls in Parliament to have them banned, something which is supported by the National Union of Farmers and the Fire Service. I have to say I agree.

Well, despite them looking good when they are set off,I cannot disagree with a thing you have listed there.
So they at least need to be looked at and from what you listed,depending where they land, clearly life of Animals or even Children could be at risk from them,even if that danger is a slim possibilty,it still needs to be looked at carefully.

I know I shouldn't Kerry....but PMSL !! sounds like you have my type of luck.....


From what you've explained above: as pretty as they may look floating in dark skies etc: the real cost as detailed above, is not worth it.

The sheds OK thankfully. It was one with a wire frame though which I know farmers are concerned about due to animals eating them/getting trapped in them

Can you imagine if one fell onto a person: onto their skin. roasting hot thin metal.... :(

They're very irresponsible. Just get some fireworks or something.

They are very pretty I have to say. :hugesmile:.

They were talking about these on The One Show tonight, how dangerous they are, a little boy got one on his face, his nose was all burnt & someone car got burnt with one.

:/

:(