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Night Sky Lanterns has cancelled it's fund raising initiative after the NFU and Fire Fighters reminded the public about the serious risk of fire and danger to animals caused by sky lanterns, as a manufacturer launches an initiative to encourage lantern releases in support of the NHS. Sky lanterns can cause fires, litter the countryside and injure or even kill farm animals and wildlife. 

An NFU spokesperson had warned that:

“Although this initiative may be well-intentioned and aims to raise money for the NHS, sky lanterns pose a serious fire risk and a danger to animals who may ingest the debris.

“The NFU has campaigned against their use as we have heard from dozens of farmers over many years about the gruesome injuries sky lanterns have caused to their livestock and other animals, as well as devastating fire damage on farm to hay, straw and farm buildings. They also land as unnecessary litter wherever they fall.

“We would also ask people to think about the heightened and unnecessary strain this will cause our already stretched emergency services who need to focus on the national response to the coronavirus outbreak. The National Fire Chiefs Council has echoed these concerns and also discouraged the public from setting off sky lanterns due to the risk they pose to animals and property wherever they are used.

NFCC warned that a campaign encouraging sky lanterns to be lit as a show of solidarity for NHS workers is ‘misguided’.This could lead to an intensive and complex large-scale incident; time which could be spent supporting vulnerable people in the community 

“We are in contact with the company to express our concerns about this well-intended but seriously concerning initiative and would encourage anyone that does wish to support our invaluable NHS to do so through established charitable routes.”

The company selling sky lanterns to raise funds for the NHS has stopped its campaign after concerns were raised over the damage they would inflict on the countryside.

Night Sky Lanterns were selling Union Jack lanterns for £6 and encouraging people to release them every Sunday night during COVID-19.

The CLA was among those who quickly reacted to this misguided sentiment, contacting all rural MPs and asking them to raise awareness to the dangers of sky lanterns.

Subsequently, the company has stopped this initiative and refunded all orders.

CLA President Mark Bridgeman said:

“Releasing a naked flame, with absolutely no control over where it will land, is a serious threat to rural businesses, livestock, wildlife and the environment. There is simply no responsible way of using them.

“Therefore it’s good that the company has seen sense and decided to end the campaign, especially as there are much better ways to show support and appreciation for the invaluable work of the NHS.”

“While this move is positive, we’ve been campaigning for a number of years for these to be banned on safety and environmental grounds and this now needs to be actioned more than ever.”

Backing the call, Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said: “We all want to do our bit to show our appreciation for the NHS and frontline workers, but please stay safe and consider one of the many other ways of showing support.

“Sky lanterns pose a danger to our precious environment and wildlife and can place a greater strain on our frontline services and key workers at this challenging time.”

Lanterns are a fire hazard; pose a risk to livestock, agriculture, thatched properties and hazardous material sites. Almost 90 local authorities across the UK have banned the use of lanterns”.