to think Chinese Lanterns should be banned

[Bimbledorf]

dangerous

As beautiful as they are, Chinese Lanterns are the cause of many fires every year; today they are the cause of the above... Why are we still allowed to use them?

[DesperatelySeekingSedatives]

YANBU they are clearly dangerous and this fire could have killed people.

Its all very well saying "oh but I'm setting one off in memory of someone who died" but what happens if the lantern(s) in question causes say, a house or something to catch fire and kills someone? a life lost because you chose to release a flying ball of fire randomly into the air. doesnt seem worth it to me.

[Buzzardbird]

That is a grand total of 2 recycling plants we have currently on fire in this area. The Kidderminster one is still burning 3 weeks later.
It appears there is a two fold problem that needs sorting?

[BackforGood]

Nor is it just the danger to the firefighters at the blaze - if they are all at that blaze, then any engine called to another fire today (or for the next few days at the very least) is going to have to be travelling from a lot further afield.

[JakeBullet]

YANBU, I was sharing an RSPCA ad for a while last year which showed a beautiful bar owl dead due to becoming entangled in one of these things. I will never buy or use them and I make sure to tell others that I won't and why I won't.

[FreedomOfTheTess]

YANBU - they should be banned.

Why should firefighters have to risk their lives due to the selfishness of others?

[Gobbolinothewitchscat]

My parents' neighbour's fence was turned into a towering inferno by one of these things. There's a patch of woodland separating their houses and there was a real fear that the whole lot would go up. If it had, my patent's house would have burned down as some of the trees overhand their roof

Their a total bloody menace and I genuinely don't see how the need to commemorate a loved one or celebrate a soecial event by letting one of these things off trumps others people's and animals' right to safety. That cannot be reasonable.

[moisturiser]

They are so unsafe, I can't believe they don't cause more fires, to be honest. I totally understand why people want to let them off, they're so stunning and a very moving thing to watch, but it just isn't worth it. Even the 'eco-friendly' ones do massive damage to wildlife.

[HesterShaw]

This is not a pop at anyone who has ever lost someone MrsDV. And concern for the environment does not automatically translate as "self righteousness".

[MalenkyRusskyDrakonchik]

I am really sorry about people who've let them off for loved ones. I didn't know prior to this thread that was a tradition but I can understand why it could seem like a nice idea.

I don't think most people intended their comments to be pointed, though.

I did notice that the second or third post on this thread was about them being bad, but the poster was going to do it anyway, and that is the attitude I've heard a lot. It's not really ok.

[SoupDragon]

Anyone who has said they let one off for a loved one or has seen them let off for loved ones has agreed they should be banned

No they haven't. But that is irrelevant really. I was not being self righteous nor was I trying to make anyone who had let them off in memory of a loved one feel shit.

[Oblomov]

I am surprised they haven't been banned before.

[MalenkyRusskyDrakonchik]

MrsDeV - I'm really sorry.

But I was talking about weddings etc. That was what I was trying to explain in my post. I assumed most of us were.

I didn't know this was a tradition for memorializing loved ones, and I have already apologized and said I honestly don't believe most people intended their comments to be pointed.

I'll stop posting now - but I truly am sorry, and I truly did mean my post saying I didn't think people were talking about that to mean I really, didn't think people meant that.

[BadgersNadgers]

I think most of us would agree that a fire of this magnitude was bound to happen eventually and I think they should be banned from sale BUT I don't think it's healthy to vilify people who have used them without realising the potential implications. I think it's better to educate than to condemn.

[MalenkyRusskyDrakonchik]

Thanks for saying that, MrsDeV.

All I meant to say was, my first assumption looking at the thread title was 'oh, that'll be about twits letting them off at weddings'.

Now I do know that some brides would feel a bit upset and got-at, if they did this all unawares. I would be myself. And I do think about 5 years ago it wasn't so well known they were dangerous, and they do put on the packaging that they're the 'safer' ones so you could be forgiven for thinking that means something - as someone said further upthread.

I didn't think about memorials. I'm sorry, I get that this seems insensitive if to you that's the primary association you have for the lanterns.

But I thought soup simply had a point - and it looked to me like exactly the same point you made. It'd be a nice idea, but it's not practical so it's not ok.

I really didn't think 'here's how to bash bereved people', honestly.

Is it possible still to get those little floating things that you can set off to float out into a lake, or are they bad too? They might have a similar symbolism.

[HesterShaw]

I think some middle ground can be reached. I've seen discussions online about this issue and they have been upsetting for both sides. Someone mentions that Chinese lanterns/balloon releases are very harmful for the environment and for wildlife, and someone else reacts defensively (understandably) because they want to remember their loved one in that way.

The MCS has some interesting information on the subject.

[McNewPants2013]

This is the first time i have heard chinese laterns are dangerous and after this i will not be realising any more.

I normally do it on the anniversary of my uncles and my grandfathers death, but now it don't see why other people should be put at risk to help me cope with an emotionally hard day.

[Damnautocorrect]

I spied some going up on Saturday, I don't think everyone knows the message yet.
Yanbu

[MalenkyRusskyDrakonchik]

Fair point, I didn't realize people didn't know.

To be honest, I am thinking of people with whom I've had the 'oh, did you know they might be a bit dangerous' conversation and the reply has been 'don't be so silly, it's our special day'. I would feel very differently if that were someone who'd been bereaved. Because it is fundamentally different.

[MalenkyRusskyDrakonchik]

But then ... if people don't know, shouldn't we be carrying on bumping this thread, not stopping?