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Chinese Lanterns - Just say NO!

11 replies

hz · 02/07/2013 13:37

Yes, yes, I know they are terribly pretty and everything but seriously they are such a hazard for so many reasons.

They cause fires, like the massive fire yesterday in the West Midlands, they get into animal feed and puncture the animals insides causing pain and death, they get wrapped around wildlife (Have you seen that awful photo of a dead barn owl entangled in a lantern?), they are mistaken for distress flares by the coast guard, and once they have burned out they are simply litter!

All for a few moments if 'ah, isn't it pretty'. No it isn't and they should be banned. This has been a bug bear of mine for a while but now the cause is gaining some pace following that huge fire. I'm afraid campers are some of the main culprits, makes me want to jump up and down an shout on so many otherwise lovely summer camping evenings! There is a petition by the RSPCA you can sign here.

Rant over.

OP posts:
shirazplease · 02/07/2013 13:42

Done, and posted on to my FB page too

hillbilly · 02/07/2013 13:49

I totally agree. DH bought some a few years ago and after we used the first one I thought about how dangerous they would be if they cam down in a field of tents. So I have banned them ever since.

hz · 05/07/2013 13:31

Bump. Cos it's important and I bet people are considering letting some go on this balmy weekend.

OP posts:
MummyPigsFatTummy · 05/07/2013 13:43

Agreed. Well done on raising this. We are off this weekend with friends. I have signed the petition and shared on Facebook.

FringeEvent · 05/07/2013 13:48

Thanks for posting about this. I've also signed and shared. I've never understood why they continue to be so popular, and legally sold, to be honest. Surely you have no control over where it ends up and very few people would be able to retrieve their lantern to dispose of it safely even if they cared enough to, so how is this any different from other forms of littering?

SparkyUK · 05/07/2013 22:10

Done! thanks for posting

NightScentedStock · 05/07/2013 22:45

Signed. Thanks for posting

lurcherlover · 05/07/2013 22:49

Done. Horrible things.

hz · 06/07/2013 18:59

Excellent, just seen on BBC News that Poundland has stopped selling them. I think the end of Chinese lanterns is nigh but let's help the cause along!

OP posts:
FadBook · 06/07/2013 19:03

Signed

Bump

Smile
cyclecamper · 07/07/2013 20:32

Done and shared.

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