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Don’t kid around with Chinese Lanterns during year of the goat festivities, says RoSPA

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With thousands of revellers gearing up to celebrate Chinese New Year, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is reminding people to make it an enjoyable occasion by following safety advice on sky lanterns.

This year will be the year of the goat and as families prepare to let off the paper lights, also called Chinese lanterns, into the night sky to mark Thursday’s (February 19) celebrations, they are being warned to think carefully about where they launch them.

Wind conditions and location play a crucial part in preventing lanterns sparking an unnecessary fire, or creating a false alarm near the coast. In 2013, Chinese lanterns were blamed for causing a huge blaze at Jayplas Recycling Plant, in Smethwick, West Midlands, when 100,000 tons of recycled plastic and paper went up in smoke.

Sheila Merrill, RoSPA’s public health adviser, said: “Chinese New Year is an important festival and we want people to have fun and enjoy the celebrations.

“Chinese lanterns are thought to bring good luck and prosperity to those releasing them but if you are planning on launching them, make sure you do it away from built-up areas, roads, crops, hay bales, trees or power lines.

“Paper lights should not be launched if the wind speed is 5mph or more so it is worth checking the weather forecast beforehand. It is also important to choose the right location as they could be mistaken for a distress signal if released near the coast.”

Chinese lanterns are made from thin fire retardant paper but contain a small candle or fuel cell, which when lit, heats the air and sends them rising into the air.

Once the heat reduces, a lantern will float back to the ground, but the spot where it lands is unpredictable. Even landing in the middle of the countryside can cause serious injury to livestock if accidentally eaten.

RoSPA guidelines when using Chinese lanterns are:

  • A lantern should not be launched if winds are 5mph or more
  • Do not launch within 5 miles of any airfield, airport or near the coast where lanterns may be interpreted as a distress signal
  • Do not use near built-up areas, roads, crops, hay bales, trees or power lines
  • Do not launch a lantern if any part of it is damaged
  • Follow operating instructions very carefully and have a fire extinguisher or water nearby
  • A lantern is not suitable for children under 16 and is not a toy – it should be launched by two adults
  • Do not launch under the influence of alcohol.

Further safety advice on Chinese lanterns can be found at the RoSPA website.

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