To think ''Chinese Lanterns'' should be banned?

[ThatGingerOne]

Seen several posts now of horses being horrifically injured from the lanterns landing on them. Other stories of course about them starting fires too. Does anyone else agree they're too dangerous to be used?

I remember that thread.

I think there was a huge shift in how people acted following bereavement straight after the death of princess Diana. Balloons, Chinese lanterns and bouquets of flowers piled up in their cellophane wrappers. I understand the sentiment, but can't bear the first two (as a horse owner) and think that flowers should only be left without their wrapping. If at all.

I suppose grief makes some people irrational.
And a lot of people just don't think - hand up, DDs primary had a balloon race ~10 years ago and it didn't occur to me then that it was a bloody stupid , antisocial idea. But once it's been pointed out, I fail to see how anyone could defend doing it again.

Garth - that's the other thing I hate - flowers in cellophane. Most of the benches along the prom/clifftop here are in memorium to someone which is lovely. What isn't so lovely is that so many of them have dead bunches of flowers wrapped in cellophane tied to the armrests. I wish the council would ban it because people don't sit on those benches as they have effectively become private memorials in public spaces.

Actually, my friends lost their six month old two years ago and release balloons on what would have been his birthday... I think if it allieviates some of their grief, go for it.

The National Farmers Union in Scotland are asking for a ban.

NFUS Writes to Local Councils to Call for Dangerous Lantern Ban | NFUS
www.nfus.org.uk/news/2016/october/nfus-writes-local-councils-call-dangerous-lantern-ban

MaryPoppinsPenguins I'm very sorry for the situation and that is awful but there are other ways to grieve that don't pose a huge threat to animals and people R.E the birmingham fire. The bubble idea was a very nice one. I disagree that it is worth it for this purpose.

Signed the petition. The other thread was awful. You were an unfeeling monster if you didn't support the absolute right of any one who has suffered a bereavement (which actually must be almost all of us) to litter the countryside.

I wasn't aware of the other thread, how long ago was it? Perhaps with all of the incidents that have happened from then to now people are a little more realistic about the dangers?

I have signed the petition. I also read the other thread; it was awful. Anyone against the lantern or balloon releases were hounded for having no empathy. It was bonkers.

Same time this year.

I'm so glad to see the time of this thread compared to the last one which I did the dare comment on for fear of being labeled unkind. We are all people who care for others bereavement deeply, but in the face of the the damage these methods of commemoration can cause are asking that as a society we are more responsible. Doesn't mean we don't care, but hey, let's be more responsible as a collective for the impact we can have on the world a collective round us,

*tone

Oh my, what typing errors! I think the sentiment is clear though!

There are some nice (and some slightly out there) ideas on here balloonsblow.org/environmentally-friendly-alternatives/

That's a great link Petal. We always plant a tree here after a bereavement

As we were leaving our wedding, seven years ago, Dh and I were presented with a Chinese lantern to release. I was cringing, I really didn't want to do it, but it was given by very dear (if not the most environmentally aware) friends in front of the whole wedding party. I didn't want to upset/embarrass them or spoil the lovely atmosphere so I went ahead with it, whilst feeling rather ashamed of myself. I would very much like to see them banned.

I agree, YANBU.

Signed the petition.

Oh god I hate Chinese lanterns, we live on the side of a big hill at the edge of a city, every bonfire night since we moved here five years ago we get people down in the city setting off the lanterns, we watch them floating towards us and by the time they get to us they're starting to sink down. I HATE the horrible horrible feeling of seeing lanterns floating down over my house and the neighbours houses, running to the other side of the house hoping they've passed over. I absolutely hate it, the feeling that my children are sleeping in their beds and a flaming tissue paper cube completely out of control could land on our roof. Is it enough to cause a fire? I've no idea but I absolutely hate them. Pointless, dangerous, selfish. Have signed the petition.

as a horse owner i hate them and balloons, a neighbours yard to me lost a horse who's rug had caught fire due to one, and i've heard of another yard where one landed on the livestocks straw and destroyed a lot of a building (luckily no animals were in there otherwise they would of been killed)

and in my eyes it's effectively littering

I signed the petition, but I think we ought to write to our respective MPs and ask them to do something about this.

It needs a wider educational campaign and a push to ban them.

Sickening what thoughtlessness can do.

I hate them and would love to see them banned.

I am glad that this thread is almost unanimous.

YANBU. Also agree re balloons - have been on a beach clean today with a group of volunteers and we usually find the remains of balloons. They pretty much never biodegrade and cause enormous damage to wildlife that try to eat them. There are other ways to remember loved ones.