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Lantern litter threatens livestock, wildlife, environment | Great Lakes Echo

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Lantern litter threatens livestock, wildlife, environment | Great Lakes Echo

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By Carin Tunney

Americans celebrate Independence Day by sending things up.

But popular Chinese sky lanterns can kill livestock, strangle wildlife and cause fires, experts say.

Sky lanterns are made of paper, cloth and string. They use wires or bamboo for support. So-called fuel cells made of cardboard and wax allow them to float when lit.

They soar more than a thousand feet and travel for more than a mile, depending on winds.

And that makes them dangerous, said Michigan state Rep. Henry Yanez, D-Sterling Heights.

Yanez, a former firefighter, proposed a bill this winter to roll back the state's fireworks law and eliminate the lanterns. They're already illegal in 29 states, including Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.

Citizen worries over fire hazards prompted the so far unsuccessful try at a ban, he said.

"We heard from many of them that the sky lanterns were an issue too and people were sending us news articles of fires that were suspected to be caused by sky lanterns," Yanez said.

"It could land on a tree, it could land on a home, it could land in grasslands or forests and a fire could start."

The lanterns are often part of celebrations and tributes, and are even more common around the 4th of July.

Light the Sky-Grand Rapids is slated for a lantern launch at the I-96 Speedway in Michigan's rural Ionia County on Saturday.

More than 500 people bought tickets to launch lanterns to raise money for refugees, said Dane Cannon who works for the company marketing the event.

His firm is being proactive, working with manufacturers to reduce the flight distance to three-quarters of a mile or less, depending on the winds, he said.

"It seems like as we've talked to fire officials who've held these events in their municipalities is that their main concern is fires only on the way up, not necessarily on the way down because on the way down you know that the fire is already extinguished," he said.

They use biodegradable lanterns. Cannon said he isn't sure how long it takes them to biodegrade.

Volunteers will pick up lanterns following the event, Cannon said.

Patrolling farm fields for litter that could be a hazard to livestock is a daily chore for Amanda Powell, who runs Oak Row Angus in Ionia County, Michigan.

"They look nice going up but when they come down they have an impact on the environment and animals," she said.

"We found one place where you could see it caught fire a little bit. It stopped, but it didn't have to. If it had been a really dry year, it could have gone from there," she said.

Powell said she has found lanterns with wires in pastures.

Such wire can sicken cattle with hardware disease, said Jennifer Roberts, a veterinarian with Michigan State University's College of Veterinary Medicine.

And metal objects caught in harvesters and ground into feed can kill livestock, she said.

"The way that cows digest their feed is that it goes into their stomach and she rechews it again later . . . she may not actually chew it and realize it's something that she should not eat," Roberts said.

Farmers often put magnets in cattle's stomachs to prevent hardware disease, Roberts said. While lanterns made of biodegradable materials can likely be digested, no animal should eat trash.

"One big part of that is making sure that the feed is safe for them and isn't going to make them sick," she said.

A Facebook post by a dairy farmer in West Branch, Michigan, about a lantern containing floral wire found during harvesting received 22,000 shares last July.

The post by Abigail O'Farrell, co-owner of Lemajru Dairy Farm, said lanterns can kill her cows. It received thousands of comments. Some were critical.

"I have friends that I know have lit them off in the past year, and I know when it comes to memorials to tell someone it is a bad idea when they are trying to remember a loved one you are dealing with emotions and it isn't the right time and right place," O'Farrell said.

Other people opposed bans and commented that many things are dangerous to animals and they can't all be banned.

Even if people aren't concerned about livestock, O'Farrell hopes they will use biodegradable lanterns and not light them during drought or near dead trees.

Balloons Blow, a Florida-based environmental advocacy group, posts graphic images online of animals killed by lanterns and other floating objects.

The group said even biodegradable lanterns threaten wildlife because animals get caught in the strings.

Some farm organizations also oppose lanterns.

Awareness is essential, said Ernie Birchmeier the livestock and dairy specialist with Michigan Farm Bureau.

"I don't think people understand the consequences of sending something up in the air and realizing it has to come down, so there is an education process that needs to take place," he said.

"Whether it's with wire or biodegradable, whatever it is made of, they are going to come down somewhere and it's not on your property," he said. "It's somebody else's property and there are negative impacts of that."

The Michigan Farm Bureau supports a lantern ban.

Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania are among the Great Lakes states without a lantern law, but some local ordinances prohibit them.

A statewide ban in Michigan is unlikely, partly because his legislation is attached to restrictions on fireworks, Yanez said.

"People make a lot of money in a very short amount of time selling these fireworks," he said.

Caution about where lanterns are launched is likely the only solution unless a large-scale incident spawns interest in the bill, he said.

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Lantern litter threatens livestock, wildlife, environment

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By Carin Tunney Americans celebrate Independence Day by sending things up. But popular Chinese sky lanterns can kill livestock, strangle wildlife and cause fires, experts say. Sky lanterns are made of paper, cloth and string. They use wires or bamboo for support. So-called fuel cells made of cardboard and wax allow them to float when lit.

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Council approves ban on sky lanterns on Vimeo

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Council approves ban on sky lanterns on Vimeo

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Cornwall Council recently voted to ban the release of sky lanterns and Chinese balloons from Council land. Councillor James Mustoe and Councillor Geoff Brown explain more about the decision and how it will be implemented.

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Quercus pede ao Ministro do Ambiente que proíba a largada de balões

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Quercus pede ao Ministro do Ambiente que proíba a largada de balões

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A Quercus - Associação Nacional de Conservação da Natureza pede ao Ministro do Ambiente que legisle e proíba a largada de balões, atendendo aos impactes ambientais associados a este tipo de eventos, muitos deles irreversíveis.
Nestas iniciativas são largados balões feitos em plástico e balões com uma lâmpada LED, assim como a respetiva pilha associada. Após serem libertados estes serão transportados para diversos ambientes (terrestre ou marinho) e após terminada a viagem, aqui ficarão depositados como um resíduo contaminante deste habitat.

No caso dos plásticos, ao fim de alguns anos vão perder a cor e fragmentar-se em pedaços mais pequenos, sendo certamente confundidos por alimentos e ingeridos por peixes e outros animais marinhos, acabando estes por morrer. No caso das pilhas, este produto é composto por metais pesados, podendo ter no seu interior mercúrio (Hg), níquel (Ni), cádmio (Cd) e chumbo (Pb). Uma simples pilha é suficiente para contaminar uma área considerável de solos (equivalente à área de um campo de futebol) durante 50 anos.

A Quercus compreende as causas solidárias que estão normalmente na origem destas iniciativas, mas reforça que qualquer que seja a causa não poderá prejudicar outra, pelo que recomendamos a substituição das atividades de largada de balões por outras iniciativas com menos impacte ambiental.
E sobre pilhas e contaminação por metais pesados.
Obtenha aqui mais informação sobre estas problemáticas.

Lisboa, 13 de dezembro de 2016

A Direção Nacional da Quercus- Associação Nacional de Conservação da Natureza

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Quercus pede ao Ministro do Ambiente que proíba a largada de balões

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A Quercus - Associação Nacional de Conservação da Natureza pede ao Ministro do Ambiente que legisle e proíba a largada de balões, atendendo aos impactes ambientais associados a este tipo de eventos, muitos deles irreversíveis. Nestas iniciativas são largados balões feitos em plástico e balões com uma lâmpada LED, assim como a respetiva pilha associada.

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Smethwick fire: nine firefighters injured tackling 'largest ever' blaze in West Midlands | UK news | The Guardian

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Smethwick fire: nine firefighters injured tackling 'largest ever' blaze in West Midlands | UK news | The Guardian

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A huge fire in the West Midlands - which has resulted in nine firefighters being treated for injuries or exhaustion and a smoke plume rising two kilometres (6,000ft) - was caused by a Chinese lantern, the fire service said.

Two of those hurt were taken to hospital as a precaution as more than 200 firefighters tackled the "very deep-seated" blaze of 50,000 tonnes of paper and plastic at a recycling plant in Smethwick on Monday. Air travel over an area around Birmingham might be affected by the plume, according to West Midlands fire service, which has warned that the incident could last well into Tuesday.

People living near the J&A Young plant have been warned to keep their windows shut, and a local primary school will not kept closed on Monday. Motorists were told not to use junction 1 of the M5.

Staff from the Environment Agency have been at the site checking for potential contamination from water run-off. They say there is little sign of damage so far in the neighbouring canal and are working to divert as much as possible into sewers.

Public Health England has reinforced warnings for local residents to stay indoors and do all they can to stay out of the smoke, and advised motorists to keep windows and air vents closed and turn off air-conditioning.

At the fire's peak, more than 200 firefighters and 45 fire engines, three hydraulic platforms as well as two special high pumping units to help water supplies, were engaged in containing the fire to a 300 x 300 metre site. By mid-day on Monday, the number of firefighters involved had fallen to about 100.

Chief fire officer Vij Randeniya said the fire was the 15th this year at a waste transfer site in his authority. Forensic investigations backed up by CCTV suggested the fire had been caused by a Chinese lantern. "You put some fire in the sky, it lands in combustible material and you get a multimillion-pound incident like this."

Paying tribute to 19 firefighters who have died fighting fires in Arizona, Randeniya made a plea for fire services to avoid cuts. "Fire fighting is a tough and dangerous job. That is why we train hard, why we resource well and why we would urge the government to retain the current financial levels," he said in a video played from the scene of the fire via the service's Twitter account.

Randeniya expected firefighters to be on the scene until Tuesday. As the molten plastic hardened once more with the fires' waning, it would require removal by mechanical diggers, he said.

Injuries to firefighters included heat exhaustion, injuries to eyes and an ankle, and a minor burn, according to the local ambulance service.

View Smethwick factory fire, June 2013 in a larger map

J&A Young, which trades as Jayplas, claims to be the UK's largest plastics recycler. It also has two sites in Loughborough and one each in Derby and Manchester, with its main products being polythene refuse sacks.

Witness Jack Awal told the BBC he could see the fire from his home two miles away in Handsworth: "I heard a loud bang and went outside to see what it was. I immediately recognised where the smoke was coming from. I knew it had to be a factory.

"It was like a scene from a movie. There were so many large explosions and loud bangs. It was like a firework display - there were loud crackles and bangs every few seconds."

Chinese lanterns made of paper-covered wire or bamboo with an open-flame heat source - effectively miniature hot-air balloons - have been increasingly used to celebrate special occasions but have become a nuisance for fire services and animal charities, having been blamed for fires around the country for a number of years. The Chief Fire Officers' Association has called for a review of their use. West Midlands fire service itself carries warnings on its website appealing to the public not to use them, not only because of the obvious dangers but because "emergency services can also suffer a loss of resources whilst having to deal with lantern sightings being mistaken as something else eg a distress flare or UFO".

Only last month Somerset fire service and Michael Eavis, organiser of the Glastonbury festival, where they have been banned for years, warned music-lovers not to ignore the edict because of the danger both to other festivalgoers in their tents and to local farms.

The RSPCA says the lanterns can harm wildlife, livestock and other animals, which may eat dangerous splinters, become entangled in parts or be killed in fires.
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Smethwick fire: nine firefighters injured tackling 'largest ever' blaze in West Midlands

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A huge fire in the West Midlands - which has resulted in nine firefighters being treated for injuries or exhaustion and a smoke plume rising two kilometres (6,000ft) - was caused by a Chinese lantern, the fire service said.

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Smethwick blaze: fire chiefs tell public to stop using Chinese lanterns | UK news | The Guardian

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Smethwick blaze: fire chiefs tell public to stop using Chinese lanterns | UK news | The Guardian

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Chief fire officers have called for an urgent review of the use of Chinese or paper lanterns across the UK after evidence emerged of one causing a blaze at a plastics recycling plant in which 10 firefighters were injured.

The blaze, said to be one of the largest ever in the West Midlands, started on Sunday night. More than 200 firefighters and nearly 40 fire engines tackled the fire, which sent a plume of smoke rising 2,000 metres (6,000ft) from the J&A Young plant at Smethwick, West Midlands.

As the fire - on an industrial estate - was contained, Vijith Randeniya, the West Midlands chief fire officer, said forensics investigations and CCTV footage suggested it had been caused by one of the "uncontrolled, unregulated" lanterns.

"You put some fire in the sky, it lands in combustible material and you get a multimillion-pound incident like this," he said. Randeniya is president of the Chief Fire Officers' Association (CFOA), which has been looking closely at the dangers posed by the paper lanterns - miniature hot-air balloons - which have become popular at celebrations. They have been condemned by fire services and animal charities.

The CFOA appealed to the public and event organisers not to use them. "Whilst these lanterns are undoubtedly a popular and beautiful sight, the potential damage they can cause is significant," it said. "These floating lanterns not only constitute a fire hazard but also pose a risk to livestock, agriculture, camping activities, thatched properties and hazardous material sites," it said.

Police and coastguards also spent time and money on having to deal with lanterns being mistaken for distress flares or even UFOs. There was a temporary ban in Australia after a series of wildfires. Police, fire and rescue services and civil aviation authorities should investigate the possibility of legal action over damage caused by the lanterns, said the CFOA.

A wider row could be brewing on the issue after the government sought to dampen expectations of a review weeks after research by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, (Defra), which has refused pleas from agricultural bodies to ban the lanterns.

A spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) said the government was "working to raise public awareness of the risks of sky lanterns and users of these products are advised to follow manufacturers' instructions carefully." It would continue to monitor fire trends.

The DCLG said the results of the Defra-commissioned research, published in May, contained no real evidence of a "significant direct impact on consumer safety".

The department added: "In summers 2010 and 2011, the fire and rescue service recording system recorded only one incident caused by a fire lantern that caused any significant damage to a building - it is therefore very rare for a sky lantern to be the cause of a building fire. In 2012-13, English fire and rescue services attended over 100,000 outdoor fire incidents (grassland/woodland etc), of which sky lanterns were potentially responsible for around 200 fires (0.2% of all outdoor fires) - none of which caused substantial damage."

However, the report, written by the consultancy Adas, said the fire risk posed by lanterns was significant, that they could endanger aircraft (40 incidents were reported by the Civil Aviation Authority from 2001-12), and consumers needed better information from suppliers.

The shadow environment secretary, Mary Creagh, said: "The government has spent £25,000 on a report into sky lanterns which found they are a significant fire risk, may hamper search and rescue services, and could pose a danger to aeroplanes. They also pose a risk to cattle that could be injured by them - yet the government has decided to do nothing. After the Smethwick fire, ministers must look at this issue again."

Randeniya said that the fire was the 15th this year at a waste transfer site in his area. He also appealed against fire service cuts. "Firefighting is a tough and dangerous job. That is why we train hard, why we resource well and why we would urge the government to retain the current financial levels," he said in a video played from the scene of the fire via the service's Twitter account.

He said he expected firefighters to be on the scene until Tuesday. Only then could the difficult job of cleaning up the site begin: as the molten plastic hardened, it would require removal by mechanical diggers, he said.

The fire service said two of the 10 injured firefighters had been taken to hospital as a precaution. Other injuries included heat exhaustion, eye injuries, a minor burn and an ankle injury.

J&A Young (Leicester), which trades as Jayplas, claims to be the UK's largest plastics recycler. It also has two sites in Loughborough and one each in Derby and Manchester. Its main products are polythene refuse sacks. The company did not respond to a request for comment from the Guardian.

The fire service was in close contact with Birmingham airport because of the huge smoke cloud but there was no disruption to flights. Local residents were advised to close their doors and windows, while motorists were warned to shut windows and air vents, and turn off air-conditioning. The Environment Agency monitored the firefighting effort, especially water runoff into the local canal, but by mid-afternoon reported no fish in distress or other environmental impacts.
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Smethwick blaze: fire chiefs tell public to stop using Chinese lanterns

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Chief fire officers have called for an urgent review of the use of Chinese or paper lanterns across the UK after evidence emerged of one causing a blaze at a plastics recycling plant in which 10 firefighters were injured. The blaze, said to be one of the largest ever in the West Midlands, started on Sunday night.

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Sky lanterns and launchers steered by new safety code of practice | UK news | The Guardian

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Sky lanterns and launchers steered by new safety code of practice | UK news | The Guardian

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Chinese and other paper lanterns should not be released by people under the influence of alcohol and air-traffic control should be notified if lanterns are to be set free within 10 miles of an airfield, according to new government guidance.

The guidance also says that instructions for use of sky lanterns, under a industry-written code of practice and endorsed by ministers and trading standards officials, should include prosecution warnings.

The change follows growing concern about the risk from lanterns to people, wildlife and the environment, farm animals, aviation, property, including campsites and waste sites, and coastal rescue services.

The guidance, which also gives requirements over lantern design, size, shape, manufacture and safety checks, says the floating lights must always be launched by two people, one holding the item, the other igniting the fuel cell, and that launchers should not be under the influence of alcohol nor set free the lights near crops, haystacks or power lines.

Air traffic control at any airfield within 10 miles must be notified before lanterns are launched, as must local coastguards if the location is near the sea.

Event organisers are also advised to ask local authorities for risk assessments and not to release lanterns in wind speeds of 5mph or higher. The new code also says lanterns should be biodegradable, not harmful to animals, and not coloured red or orange to ensure they are not mistaken for distress flares.

Age checks on buyers should also be made to help ensure lanterns, which are also commonly used at private celebrations, are sold to, and used by, adults.

The industry code was published a year after chief fire officers appealed for the public and event organisers not to use lanterns of this kind. At an industrial fire in Smethwick, west Midlands, last summer, 10 firefighters were injured in a blaze said to have been caused by a Chinese lantern.

The government rejected calls from farming groups and animal charities for a lantern ban. Meanwhile the National Outdoor Events Association asked its members not to use them, citing their "danger", and Tesco and Poundland were among retailers who stopped selling lanterns.

The industry code followed talks with the government and was approved and published by the Trading Standards Institute.

George Eustice, the minister for farming, said the rules would help ensure sky lanterns were safe, biodegradable and sold responsibly. "People are becoming more aware of the dangers of sky lanterns and how to reduce the risk of causing damage. Over the last year Defra has highlighted these risks, and a number of retailers have decided to stop selling them while some local authorities and event organisers have banned sky lanterns altogether."

The Chief Fire Officers' Association, which had wanted a government review of lantern safety, called the guidance a step forward towards minimising the potential risks and encouraging best practice.
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Sky lanterns and launchers steered by new safety code of practice

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Chinese and other paper lanterns should not be released by people under the influence of alcohol and air-traffic control should be notified if lanterns are to be set free within 10 miles of an airfield, according to new government guidance.

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Sky Lantern Release & Safety Guidelines | Plettenberg Bay News

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Sky Lantern Release & Safety Guidelines | Plettenberg Bay News

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See the Sky Lantern Spectacle Event

Releasing your own Sky Lanterns is a great alternative to fireworks - Sky Lanterns are quiet, eco and pet friendly and far safer than fireworks. Please follow these guidelines carefully to release your lantern safely:

Release Instructions

* Two adults are required to light and release a sky lantern

* Unfold the sky lantern carefully, being careful not tear or rip the delicate paper

* Remove the protective wrapper from the wick

* Before lighting the lantern, hold it by the bamboo rim and gently fill the lantern with air to expand it fully and remove creases in the paper

* To light the lantern, hold it by the top and the bamboo rim whilst another person lights the wick

* Hold the lantern by the bamboo rim and gently release into the air - an early release may cause the lantern to fall to the ground and cause fire at the point of grounding

TAKE CARE - SUPERVISE THE NAKED FLAME WHILST THE LANTERN FILLS WITH HOT AIR AND BE READY FOR RELEASE WITHIN approx 30 seconds

Safety Instructions

* Prior to use, all lanterns should be kept in a dry, secure place away from children. Ensure that all children are kept under supervision and away from the source of ignition during the release;

* DO NOT light and release the sky lanterns wearing flammable clothing in case the flame from the wick ignites the clothing. For additional safety, protective gloves can be worn.

* Never light sky lanterns whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Never smoke whilst handling the lanterns;

* Before the sky lantern is released always ensure that any naked flames are supervised and never left unattended. Make sure you have water and / or fire extinguishers at hand;

* DO NOT release sky lanterns in wind conditions that make lighting and the release of the lantern hazardous. Launching a sky lantern in strong winds, that is torn or has burn holes may cause premature landing and fire at the point of grounding. Avoid winds stronger than 10km per hour.

* Always check the wind direction prior to releasing the sky lanterns to ensure no obstacles are in the direct flight path;

* The flight path of the sky lanterns should be clear of buildings, trees, overhead cables and mountains;

* DO NOT release sky lanterns within a 10km radius of an operational airport or landing strip or within 3km of a major road or motorway;

* DO NOT release sky lanterns near to dry crops, farmland or thatch roofed properties; Do NOT release the lanterns in an area where the glow could be confused as a distress signal.

Neither Light a Lantern, nor its owners, are liable, nor-responsible for any loss or damage to property and/or persons resulting from the release of lanterns supplied by Light a Lantern.

See the Sky Lantern Spectacle Event

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See the Sky Lantern Spectacle Event Releasing your own Sky Lanterns is a great alternative to fireworks - Sky Lanterns are quiet, eco and pet friendly and far safer than fireworks.

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As Lanternas Chinesas | China na minha vida

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As Lanternas Chinesas | China na minha vida

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Quem nunca viu uma foto de uma lanterna vermelha e não relacionou com a China imediatamente? Isso eu fazia, mesmo antes da China entrar na minha vida! =]

Quase tão antigas quanto à história da China, as lanternas chinesas devem datar de antes de 250 AC, e são um dos mais importantes símbolos chineses, reconhecidas

As lanternas mais comuns são as vermelhas e ovais, decoradas com amarelo ou dourado, que representam a prosperidade e boa sorte.

Os materiais utilizados podem ser: bambu, madeira, vime ou fio de aço para a estrutura e papel de seda ou arroz para o revestimento. Para a decoração, quando têm, são usadas franjas de seda ou fitas nas bordas.

Só que nem sempre a lanterna foi usada para decoração e atrair prosperidade nas festividades chinesas, como o Ano Novo. Ela se originou como uma melhoria para manter o fogo usado como iluminação, já que o papel protegia a chama de ser apagada pelo vento e ainda oferecia uma forma mais difusa de luz.

Mas essa luz difusa acabou por estimular a criatividade das pessoas que começaram a enfeitar as suas lanternas, e logo isso se tornou uma espécie de 'competição'.

E a coisa se tornou tão séria, que os melhores projetos, com exceção dos reservados para o Palácio Imperial, tornaram-se propriedade pública. E ser escolhido para pertencer ao Imperador consistia numa honra suprema.

Alguns especialistas históricos acreditam que o conceito de iluminação pública na Europa provém do contato europeu com China Imperial, onde "iluminação" muito tempo existia sob a forma das lanternas chinesas penduradas nas portas principais das casas e portões de entrada da propriedade.

Na China antiga, as famílias penduravam lanternas coloridas na entrada das casas e alguns escreviam enigmas em pedaços de papel, e fixavam nas lanternas. A resposta tinha de ser adivinhada a partir de uma palavra, um poema, ou uma frase. Adivinhar o significado desses enigmas, que geralmente eram instigantes, tornava a celebração mais interativa e divertida, o que estimulava as pessoas em criar lanternas cada vez mais bonitas e elaboradas e enigmas mais interessantes.

Um fato interessante, é que além das lanternas, a tradição dos enigmas é mantida até hoje. Na festa do Ano Novo Chinês, na empresa em que meu marido trabalha, para ganharem os presentes que estavam sendo sorteados, os funcionários tinha que responder charadas. Fiquei impressionada com a empolgação e a participação de todos, mesmo não sabendo a resposta.

Hoje em dia, apesar de não haver mais a necessidade prática para as lanternas chinesas, elas ainda são usadas ​​e apreciadas pelo povo chinês, que continuam a ser um meio de expressão artística, tanto em termos de funcionalidade, como em decoração.

Para a sociedade chinesa as lanternas passaram a ser um símbolo das grandes celebrações. E a mais popular até os dias de hoje é o 'Festival das Lanternas', que acontece no ultimo dia de celebração do Ano Novo Chinês, como sendo um 'gran finale' dos 15 dias de festa.

Mas ainda podemos ver as lanternas penduradas nas fachadas das casas em bairros mais 'chineses', ou melhor, fora da zona de desenvolvimento urbano. Os templos também usam muitas para sua decoração. E nas cidades das águas, que são conhecidas por Veneza Chinesa, as lanternas são parte integrante da paisagem bucólica.

E são lindas mesmo! Adoro... Principalmente quando são colocadas em tons degrade, já que o mundo descobriu que essas lanternas, sem a roupagem típica chinesa, mas sem deixar de ser chinesa, embelezam qualquer ambiente.

Zài Jian!

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Quem nunca viu uma foto de uma lanterna vermelha e não relacionou com a China imediatamente? Isso eu fazia, mesmo antes da China entrar na minha vida! =] Quase tão antigas quanto à história da China, as lanternas chinesas devem datar de antes de 250 AC, e são um dos mais importantes símbolos chineses, reconhecidas...

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Chinese lanterns 'must be banned' - BBC News

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Chinese lanterns 'must be banned' - BBC News

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Celebrations turned sour at a 21st birthday when Chinese lanterns released to mark the occasion caused a large fire in barley fields.

Melissa Noton, a guest at the party in Stonesfield, Oxfordshire, previously liked the lanterns - but after the experience she is backing calls for them to be banned.

Fire brigade leaders are urging the authorities to take action after a blaze was sparked at the weekend when a lantern dropped on to a tonne of paper on an industrial estate.

And one householder has told how he battled to put out a lantern which was stuck on his roof.

The lanterns, originally a symbol of good wishes in ancient China, have become increasingly popular at weddings and parties in Britain where it is estimated about 200,000 are released every summer.

Usually made from paper or wire, they are carried upwards by heat from a flame, warmly glowing as they travel up to 30 miles before burning out.

Manufacturers say they are flame resistant and come with safety guidelines - but firefighters and farmers say problems from them are increasing.

Agriculture Minister Jim Paice said earlier this month people should "think twice" about using the lanterns because of the problems they caused in the countryside.

'Suddenly uncontrollable'

Ms Noton said at the birthday party near Woodstock last July, the lanterns were released at dusk as a "poignant reminder" of the passing years.

"We were going to release 21 before it all went horribly wrong," she said.

"The weather was a bit weird, it wasn't that windy but there were small, swirly gusts of wind.

"The lanterns were quite difficult to light and we soon realised we didn't want any children anywhere near them as they were large and unwieldy.

"One of the lanterns became stuck in the roof of the marquee but we managed to get it down and stamp out the flames."

Ms Noton said two other lanterns became stuck in trees and were pulled down with poles.

She was concerned how the lanterns "suddenly became uncontrollable" and were difficult to extinguish.

Ms Noton, who was at the party with her two young daughters, said it was "quite frightening".

She said guests were further alarmed when they saw a "red hue" in nearby fields and realised the lanterns had started a fire.

"It was quite a significant fire and there were a few fire engines on the scene," she said.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said the lanterns destroyed seven hectares of barley crop and warned of the "potential damage" they can cause, particularly during dry weather.

Ms Noton said: "I can see no benefit to them and would like to see them banned."

Her view is shared by Chris Simmons, of south Bristol, who recently found a lantern wedged under his roof.

"The fuel was still burning and I hate to think what may have happened if I hadn't caught the thing," he said.

"This lantern had a structure built from incredibly thin metal strands which would be devastating for wildlife if ingested and that fuel block took several litres of water to extinguish - even when I'd destroyed the balloon and had tried stamping out the flames."

'Safe for consumers'

A sky lantern was also blamed for sparking a large fire at an industrial estate in Somerset on Saturday night.

Devon and Somerset Fire Service, which had issued a warning about such lanterns the day before, said a tonne of paper and printer cartridges caught fire after one of the decorations landed at the site.

The Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) recently warned people against releasing the lanterns, saying although they looked spectacular "once airborne they cannot be controlled".

The National Farmers Union said farm animals were dying after eating the metal wire frames.

NFU rural surveyor Louise Staples said: "The NFU is campaigning for lanterns to be banned, but in the interim for the responsible use of lanterns... they present a real danger to cattle and dry fields, as well as posing a litter problem when they land."

Many manufacturers say their lanterns are biodegradable and standard instructions warn they should only be used when the wind is light and be launched away from trees, airports, roads and areas where they could be confused with distress signals.

The Department for Business Innovation & Skills (BIS) said the lanterns were deemed safe under consumer laws. A spokeswoman said EU countries which had banned them had done so under other laws.

Meanwhile, the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs said a ban "had not been ruled out but was not being planned at the moment".

"We are warning of the dangers and asking people to use them responsibly," a spokesman said.

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Celebrations turned sour at a 21st birthday when Chinese lanterns released to mark the occasion caused a large fire in barley fields. Melissa Noton, a guest at the party in Stonesfield, Oxfordshire, previously liked the lanterns - but after the experience she is backing calls for them to be banned.

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Boy burned by Chinese lantern in Wrexham - Daily Post

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Boy burned by Chinese lantern in Wrexham - Daily Post

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THE mum of a little boy whose face was badly burned by a Chinese lantern has called for stricter safety regulations on their use.

Three-year-old Cael Jones screamed in agony when scalding hot wax poured over his face at a Bonfire Night party in Penycae, near Wrexham, from a lantern set off into the night sky.

Poor Cael, who suffered horrific burns to his face leaving huge scabs and both eyes swollen and shut, was rushed to the Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

Yesterday his mum Emma Foulkes, of Ffordd Llanerch, Penycae, said she would never use Chinese lanterns again.

Thankfully she said Cael should make a full recovery, but the scale of the damage inflicted on the little lad was clear yesterday as his dad Terry Williams comforted him.

Emma, 23, said: "We were at a Bonfire Night party at my aunty's not far from where we live.

"It was a great evening, we had just let the fireworks off and then sent the Chinese lantern up.

"As it was going up hot wax poured out onto Cael.

"He was screaming. It was horrible.

"I just never thought that anything like that could happen with them.

"His face was black and the skin was peeling off. It was all over his nose and down to the corner of his lip.

"We placed damp cloths on his face to keep it cool and called an ambulance which took him to hospital straight away.

"He is going back to the hospital on Friday and it looks as though there will be no permanent scarring."

Warning parents of the dangers of Chinese lanterns, Emma said: "I would certainly not use them again and I think that there should be greater safety restrictions on their use."

The possibility of serious injury from the lanterns, which have become increasingly popular in recent years, is not the only concern.

Yesterday North Wales Fire and Rescue Service chiefs said they were potentially dangerous to the countryside with livestock consuming them.

The NWFRS spokesman added: "Once these lanterns are released into the air there is no control of where they go and they can travel a significant distance.

"The fuel cells in the lanterns have embers that can fall from the lantern.

"And these embers can carry on glowing for a number of minutes even after the flame had gone out and the lantern has landed.

"If a smouldering lantern was to land on dry farmland this could lead to a grass or mountain fire and spread across a large area of land," the spokesman added.

"Grass and mountain fires are dangerous and extremely unpredictable, and can quickly spread out of control.

"Firefighters battle against them under arduous conditions, with fires spread across difficult and sometimes inaccessible terrain."

stevebagnall

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Boy burned by Chinese lantern in Wrexham

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THE mum of a little boy whose face was badly burned by a Chinese lantern has called for stricter safety regulations on their use. Three-year-old Cael Jones screamed in agony when scalding hot wax poured over his face at a Bonfire Night party in Penycae, near Wrexham, from a lantern set off into the night sky.

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A sky lantern caused burn injuries to 15 people when one of the dangerous devices landed on shop in the Indian state of West Bengal. The fire spread to four kutcha houses, gutting them, and injured 13 adults and two children who were all admitted to Tamluk hospital.

Police said six people, including the two children, were in serious condition.

Sky lanterns, also known as Chinese lanterns, are plastic or paper bags lofted by the heat created by burning fuel at the bottom. After they are launched the perpetrator has no control and the dangerous devices are carried wherever the wind blows. Too often they get caught on trees, roofs, cell phone towers, or land on the ground when the flames are still active and start damaging fires. They are banned in most U.S. states and many countries, including Brazil.

The track and roof of the velodrome used in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro were damaged after a sky lantern landed on the facility. Much of the roof was heavily damaged and photos from TV network Globo showed a 20 to 30 meter section of the track had burned. Wood from Siberia was used to construct the track surface which made it one of the last venues in the Rio Olympics to be ready.

Fire Damages Velodrome at Rio's Olympic Park https://t.co/MmcEKr7JoS pic.twitter.com/p06mumW5Fj

- Cycling News (@CyclingNewz) July 31, 2017

Sky lanterns, also known as Chinese lanterns, are plastic or paper bags lofted by the heat created by burning fuel at the bottom. After they are launched the perpetrator has no control and the dangerous devices are carried wherever the wind blows. Too often they get caught on trees, roofs, cell phone towers, or land on the ground when the flames are still active and start damaging fires. They are banned in most U.S. states and many countries, including Brazil.

Rio Olympic velodrome damaged by fire https://t.co/QePCyyn9yL pic.twitter.com/3jbPwy50V6

- NBC Sports (@NBCSports) July 31, 2017

Some areas enact specific laws or regulations prohibiting sky lanterns, but they are banned in any state or city that adopts the 2015 edition of the International Fire Code.

Legal proceedings opened after Rio 2016 velodrome fire https://t.co/esuaIkskUQ pic.twitter.com/e6OSs9SllB

- Cycling News (@CyclingNewz) July 31, 2017

Thanks and a tip of the hat go out to Andrew. Typos or errors, report them
HERE.

The most likely cause of a fire that damaged a warehouse in the Philippines is a sky lantern, a small balloon carried aloft by burning fuel attached to its base.

According to the Cebu Daily News, Felix Suico Jr., head of the Bantay Mandaue Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, said the fire may have been caused by a lighted sky lantern that landed on the warehouse's roof. The fire was reported at 12:27 a.m. on January 1. The building was used to store electrical supplies.

Several other fires that broke out at around midnight on New Year's Eve burned 400 homes in Barangays Guizo and Maguikay, Mandaue City. The causes of those fires have not been released.

A rancher in the United Kingdom is blaming the death of one of his cows on a sky lantern that landed on his property. These devices are small hot air balloons lofted into the air by fuel burning at the base.

Below is an excerpt from an article at Farmers Weekly:

...Last year, David Rowlands of Grange Farm, Mickle Trifford, Chester, experienced the problems of sky lanterns first hand. The Rowlands family lost one of their pedigree Red Poll breeding cows to a sky lantern around bonfire night.

"She started staggering, so we treated her for staggers, but obviously it had no effect.

"The vets assessment was that the oesophagus had been pierced by wire from one of these wretched things, leading to asphyxiation," Mr Rowlands explained.

"These sky lanterns have either wire or bamboo frames and essentially they're cannon balls floating.

"Eventually they land and if they land in a field with cattle grazing, the cattle will investigate.

"The animals are inclined to chew things like this, the wire will splinter, penetrating their throats and causing swelling. It leads to asphyxiation, a horrible death taking about 48 hours."

"How an animal-loving nation can tolerate this sort of risk to cattle and sheep baffles me," he toldFarmers Weekly.

But Mr Rowlands hopes if more councils ban them it will help as he says he doesn't think it is deliberate nastiness of the people releasing them, more that they simply don't understand the risks.

"Our cows don't think they are worth the risk," he said...

Sky lanterns are banned in 39 of the states in the U.S.

Hundreds of sky lanterns released at an October 15 event 18 miles north of downtown Denver caused problems for at least one landowner five miles away from where they were launched.

A company that makes money by hosting "festivals" where they charge participants who release the small hot air balloons that are lofted by burning fuel at their base, organized an event at the Colorado National Speedway adjacent to Interstate 25.

Below is an excerpt from an article at KDVR:

..."We were watching it not really knowing what it was, but liking it. It was beautiful," Lauren Gueswel said. She said the view was stunning, until close to 200 lanterns landed on her 40-acre farmland.

"I was extremely concerned and a little angry," Gueswel said.

Gueswel and her husband chased after the debris while also trying to calm spooked animals.

"Terrified. They were absolutely terrified," Gueswel said.

The lanterns blew nearly five miles to end up on her property. The couple was worried about dry patches of grass.

"Several of these were landing with embers still burning," Gueswel said.

A spokesman for the event said the lanterns never hit the ground still hot. Several organizers from the event visited the farm to help pick up the leftover lanterns. They said cleanup is always protocol...

The company that organized the incident, Lantern Fest, had planned to continue releasing the fire-carrying devices on a second night, but it was cancelled due to strong winds. But, they are planning two other events in Colorado - November 5 in Colorado Springs and another one November 6 at the Colorado National Speedway north of Denver.

The company is also planning large-scale releases of the fire balloons near Phoenix, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Albuquerque, El Paso, Austin, Dallas, South Padre Island, Spokane, and Boise.

Colorado is one of the 21 states that still have not banned these dangerous devices.

Thanks and a tip of the hat go out to Allen.

Sky lanterns are being looked at as the possible cause for at least two fires over the Fourth of July holiday, one in New York and another in Michigan.

Investigators are considering sky lanterns as a possible cause for a fire that spread to four homes in Highland Park, Michigan Tuesday morning.

And in Yates County, New York, Sheriff Ron Spike, thinks a sky lantern caused a fire that burned a portion of a boat dock on Keuka Lake July 4. Boaters on the lake notified residents who were able to suppress the fire by dumping lake water onto it.

Below is an excerpt from an article at the Chronicle Express:

...Investigation by deputies and the fire chief concluded that based on debris at the scene that a sky lantern someone had launched to celebrate July 4 had landed on the dock, causing the fire. Spike says the property owner is William Goulburn, of Rochester, and the damage is over $1,000...

Sky lanterns are made with plastic or lightweight paper and are lifted into the air when burning material is ignited at the base making it lighter than air. They can travel for more than a mile, whichever way the wind blows. Sometimes the fuel is still burning when the device contacts a structure, a tree, or lands on the ground. Usually they are not retrieved and become someone else's trash.

The dangerous devices are banned in 29 states and many counties and cities.

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A sky lantern caused burn injuries to 15 people when one of the dangerous devices landed on shop in the Indian state of West Bengal. The fire spread to four kutcha houses, gutting them, and injured 13 adults and two children who were all admitted to Tamluk hospital.

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Update on the legality of sky lanterns — banned in 29 states – Wildfire Today

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Update on the legality of sky lanterns — banned in 29 states – Wildfire Today

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(The map above is our estimate, based on internet searches, of states that ban sky lanterns. We make no claim that it is 100 percent accurate, and bear no responsibility for how it may be used.)
Sky lanterns are sometimes used to celebrate a new year, a wedding, or they are launched just for the hell of it.

These dangerous devices use a small flaming object to inflate and loft a plastic or paper balloon, like a hot air balloon but on a much smaller scale. The heated air in the balloon is lighter than the surrounding air, causing the lantern to rise - assuming everything goes as planned. Often it doesn't, and the sky lantern, or fire balloon, settles to the ground, is trapped in a tree, or lands on a roof.
(UPDATE: On February 18, 2016 the Nebraska legislature passed a bill, voting 44 to 0, that would ban sky lanterns in the state. The Governor signed it making Nebraska the 30th state to ban the dangerous devices.)
In case you know someone who is planning on launching sky lanterns on New Year's Eve, please warn them that they are banned in 29 states, the National Association of State Fire Marshals recommends that they be banned everywhere, and they are illegal to use in states and cities that have adopted the International Fire Code.

After they are launched, they are completely out of control and can rise to 3,000 feet, later landing on the ground, in trees, or on structures. They have ignited roofs and started a fire that burned 800 acres in Myrtle Beach, South Caroline in 2011. In May, 2015 dozens of sky lanterns were released from the Carolina Speedway in Gastonia, North Carolina. The wind blew some of them into a cell phone tower, igniting it just out of range of the water cannon on the Union Road Volunteer Fire Department's fire engine.

On July 1, 2013 a sky lantern landed in a recycling facility in the West Midlands of England starting a fire causing an estimated six million British pounds of damage.

Also in England cows have been killed after they ate the remains of sky lanterns that fell onto the ranchers property.

An airport in Alaska had to reroute air traffic when multiple sky lanterns flew into airspace needed by aircraft. Several family members were injured when the driver of their car veered off a road to avoid hitting what turned out to be a sky lantern.

Below is an example of what can go wrong. You can jump ahead to 3:30.

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Update on the legality of sky lanterns - banned in 29 states - Wildfire Today

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(The map above is our estimate, based on internet searches, of states that ban sky lanterns. We make no claim that it is 100 percent accurate, and bear no responsibility for how it may be used.) Sky lanterns are sometimes used to celebrate a new year, a wedding, or they are launched just for the ...

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Mass balloon releases are illegal in several states, cities, and countries. Releasing balloons and sky lanterns should be illegal everywhere, because after all, it is simply littering.

States in the US that have laws: California, Connecticut, Florida, Tennessee and Virginia.
Cities in the US that have laws: Huntsville, Alabama; San Francisco, California; Louisville, Kentucky; Ocean City, Maryland; Everett, Massachusetts; Nantucket, Massachusetts; Provincetown, Massachusetts; New Jersey - Atlantic City, Bradley Beach, Brigantine, Cape May City, Long Beach Township, Longport, Margate, North Wildwood, Sea Isle City, Somers Point, Upper Township, Ventnor; Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

Laws in Plymouth-UK, New South Wales-Australia, Sunshine Coast-Queensland-Australia.
California
Here is the text of the law in California regarding balloon releases. It is CALIFORNIA PENAL CODE SECTION 653.1.

653.1. (a) No person shall sell or distribute any balloon which is constructed of electrically conductive material, and filled with a gas lighter than air without:

(1) Affixing an object of sufficient weight to the balloon or its appurtenance to counter the lift capability of the balloon.
(2) Affixing a statement on the balloon, or ensuring that a statement is so affixed, that warns the consumer about the risk if the balloon comes in contact with electrical power lines.
(3) A printed identification of the manufacturer of the balloon.

(b) No person shall sell or distribute any balloon filled with a gas lighter than air, which is attached to an electrically conductive string, tether, streamer, or other electrically conductive appurtenance.
(c) No person shall sell or distribute any balloon which is constructed of electrically conductive material and filled with a gas lighter than air, which, is attached to another balloon constructed of electrically conductive material and filled with a gas lighter than air.
(d) No person or group shall release, outdoors, balloons made of electrically conductive material and filled with a gas lighter than air, as part of a public or civic event, promotional activity, or product advertisement.
(e) Any person who violates subdivision (a), (b), (c), or (d) shall be guilty of an infraction punishable by a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100). Any person who violates subdivision (a), (b), (c), or (d) who has been previously convicted twice of violating subdivision (a), (b), (c), or (d) shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(f) This section shall not apply to manned hot air balloons, or to balloons used in governmental or scientific research projects.

Fairfax County, California - Ban on release of latex balloons
Connecticut
Release of lighter-than-air balloons restricted. Penalty Title Chapter 490 > § 26-25c
a) No person, nonprofit organization, firm or corporation, including the state and its political subdivisions, shall knowingly release, organize the release of or intentionally cause to be released into the atmosphere within a twenty-four-hour period ten or more helium or other lighter-than-air gas balloons in the state.
(b) Any violation of subsection (a) of this section shall be an infraction.
Current: 2009.
Florida
*Florida does not recognize any balloon as "biodegradable".*
379.233 Release of balloons
(1) The Legislature finds that the release into the atmosphere of large numbers of balloons inflated with lighter-than-air gases poses a danger and nuisance to the environment, particularly to wildlife and marine animals.

(2) It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to intentionally release, organize the release, or intentionally cause to be released within a 24-hour period 10 or more balloons inflated with a gas that is lighter than air except for:

(a) Balloons released by a person on behalf of a governmental agency or pursuant to a governmental contract for scientific or meteorological purposes;

(b) Hot air balloons that are recovered after launching;

(c) Balloons released indoors; or

(d) Balloons that are either biodegradable or photodegradable, as determined by rule of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and which are closed by a hand-tied knot in the stem of the balloon without string, ribbon, or other attachments. In the event that any balloons are released pursuant to the exemption established in this paragraph, the party responsible for the release shall make available to any law enforcement officer evidence of the biodegradability or photodegradability of said balloons in the form of a certificate executed by the manufacturer. Failure to provide said evidence shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this act.

(3) Any person who violates subsection (2) is guilty of a noncriminal infraction, punishable by a fine of $250.

(4) Any person may petition the circuit court to enjoin the release of 10 or more balloons if that person is a citizen of the county in which the balloons are to be released.
Nantucket, Massachusetts Provincetown, Massachusetts
i. A ban on the sale and/or use of any type of balloon (including, and not limited to, plastic, latex or Mylar balloons) to be inflated with any type of lighter than air gas (including, and not limited to, helium gas). People importing such novelties from off-island, but disposing of them on-island in any manner other than being contained in a plastic trash bag and transported to the Landfill, shall be fined pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 1, Article II by Noncriminal Disposition at $50 per offense.
New Hampshire
13. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES ... 13-2-14. Prohibition of helium-filled balloons. The sale, use, and distribution of helium filled balloons, both for public and private use, is prohibited.
*This bill never became law due to the Balloon Council.*
Releasing of Sky Lanterns prohibited by NH State Fire Code - for Immediate Release
December 21, 2012: Unless tethered, releasing sky lanterns is considered a violation of the NH State Fire Code.

AN ACT relative to balloons being released into the air.
II. It shall be unlawful for any person to intentionally release or intentionally cause to be released into the atmosphere one or more balloons inflated with lighter-than-air gases
163-B:3 Unlawful Activities.
III. Any person who violates the provisions of RSA 163-B:3, II, relative to balloon release, shall be guilty of a violation and fined $250 for the first offense and $500 for each subsequent offense. Atlantic City, New Jersey
163-B:4 Penalties.

Ord. No. 02-2017 Prohibited Releases.

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to intentionally release, organize the release or intentionally cause to be released balloons inflated with a gas that is lighter than air within the Atlantic City limits, except for:

a) Balloons released by a person on behalf of a governmental agency or pursuant to a governmental contract for scientific or meteorological purposes.

b) Hot air balloons that are recovered after launching.
Ventnor, New Jersey
c) Balloons released indoors. Violations and Penalties. Any person found in violation of this ordinance is guilty of a non -criminal infraction punishable by a fine not to exceed the sum of $500.

Ord. No. 2017-01 Prohibited Releases.

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to intentionally release, organize the release, or intentionally cause to be released balloons inflated with a gas that is lighter than air within the city of Ventnor limits except for:

a) Balloon released by a person on behalf of a governmental agency or pursuant to a governmental contract for scientific or meteorological purposes.

b) Hot air balloons that are recovered after launching

c) Balloons released indoors
New York *This is an active bill that has yet to become law.*
Violations and Penalties. Any person found in violation is guilty of a non -criminal infraction punishable by a fine not to exceed the sum of $500.00

S 2. The environmental conservation law is amended by adding two new sections 11-0331 and 71-0929 to read as follows:

S 11-0331. Release of certain balloons prohibited.

1. No business, firm, corporation or association shall knowingly or intentionally release or cause to be released at any single outdoor celebration, promotional activity, sporting or other public event within a twenty-four hour period more than twenty-five balloons filled with helium or other substance which causes the balloon to rise or float in the atmosphere. This section shall not apply to:

(a) balloons which are used for the purpose of carrying scientific instrumentation during the performance of an experiment or testing procedure or by a person on behalf of a governmental agency or pursuant to a governmental contract for scientific or meteorological purposes; (b) hot air balloons that are recovered after launching; (c) balloons released indoors. explanation-matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. lbd00936-01-1

2. Notwithstanding subdivision one of this section, no business, firm, corporation, or association shall knowingly or intentionally cause to be released any balloons if such balloons:

(a) are made from metallized nylon, metallized plastic, or any foil-like substance; or (b) have any strings, ribbons, or other materials attached to them.
Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina
S 71-0929. Enforcement of section 11-0331 of this chapter. any violation of section 11-0331 of this chapter shall be punishable by a civil penalty of ten dollars for each balloon released in excess of the limits set forth in such section, not to exceed fifty thousand dollars.
Tennessee
§ 92.31 UNLAWFUL TO RELEASE BALLOONS ON TOWN PROPERTY, BEACH FRONT AND WATERS SURROUNDING THE TOWN.
It shall be unlawful for any person to litter by releasing inflated balloons in or on or by discarding balloons in or on any property owned by the town, any waters within the zoning jurisdiction of the town as established pursuant to the provisions of G.S. § 160A-360 or the beach front as defined in this chapter of the Town Code. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty in the amount of $250 to be recovered by the town in a civil action in the nature of debt if the offender does not pay the penalty within ten days after having been cited for violation of the ordinance. In accordance with G.S. § 160A-175(b), any person violating the provisions of this section shall not be subject to the penalty provisions of G.S. § 14-4 and such action shall not be considered a breach of the penal laws of the state.
(Ord. 1642, passed 11-18-10

§ 68-101-108.

(a) No person, including an officer or employee of this state or any political subdivision of the state, shall knowingly release into the atmosphere more than twenty-five (25) balloons that are:

(1) (A) Made of a nonbiodegradable material; or

(B) Made of a biodegradable material that requires more than several minutes of contact with air or water to degrade; and

(2) Filled with helium or another substance that causes the balloons to rise or float in the atmosphere.

(b) Any person violating subsection (a) is subject to a civil penalty of two hundred fifty dollars ($250). Each balloon released in a single day, in excess of the limit imposed in subsection (a), constitutes a separate violation.
Virginia
(c) This section does not apply to weather balloons that are used for the purpose of carrying scientific instruments during the performance of an experiment or testing procedure.

§ 29.1-556.1. Release of certain balloons prohibited; civil penalty.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly release or cause to be released into the atmosphere within a one-hour period fifty or more balloons which are (i) made of a nonbiodegradable or nonphotodegradable material or any material which requires more than five minutes' contact with air or water to degrade and (ii) inflated with a substance which is lighter than air. Any person who violates this section shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed five dollars per balloon released above the allowable limit, which shall be paid into the Lifetime Hunting and Fishing Endowment Fund established pursuant to § 29.1-101.1.

B. The provisions of this section shall not apply to (i) balloons released by or on behalf of any agency of the Commonwealth, or the United States or pursuant to a contract with the Commonwealth, the United States, or any other state, territory or government for scientific or meteorological purposes or (ii) hot air balloons that are recovered after launch. (1991, c. 607.)
Toledo, Ohio

This law is in Title 29 of the Code of Virginia, enforced by local law enforcement and prosecuted by local Commonwealth's Attorney. So, if you know of any plans to release a large number of balloons into the air, notify local law enforcement. Be sure to quote the Code section, they may not be familiar with it.
Plymouth, UK
Bookmark 521.08. Release of balloons.
(a) Council finds that the release into the atmosphere of large numbers of balloons inflated with lighter-than-air gases poses a danger and nuisance to the environment.
(b) No person shall intentionally release, organize the release or intentionally cause to be released within a twenty-four hour period ten or more balloons inflated with a gas that is lighter than-air except for:
(1) Balloons released by a person on behalf of a governmental agency or pursuant to a governmental contract for scientific or meteorological purposes;
(2) Hot air balloons that are recovered after launching; or
(3) Balloons released indoors.
(c) Whoever violates subsection (b) is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(Ord. 762-90. Passed 7-31-90.)
New South Wales, Australia
Appendix 16 - Balloon releases Balloon releases are banned from Plymouth City Council owned land; this is designed to protect land and marine animals.
Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
Schedule 1 Amendment of Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (Section 3) [1] Section 146E Insert after section 146D: 146E Restrictions on release of balloons (1) Offence of releasing balloons A person who releases 20 or more balloons at or about the same time is guilty of an offence if the balloons are inflated with a gas that causes them to rise in the air. Maximum penalty (for a corporation or an individual): 10 penalty units. (2) Offence of causing or permitting release of balloons A person who causes or permits the release (whether by one or more than one person) of 20 or more balloons at or about the same time is guilty of an offence if the balloons are inflated with a gas that causes them to rise in the air. Maximum penalty (for a corporation or an individual): 10 penalty units. (3) Aggravated offence A person is guilty of an aggravated offence under this subsection if the person commits an offence under subsection (1) or (2) and the number of balloons released is more than 100. Maximum penalty (instead of any penalty under subsection (1) or (2)): * in the case of a corporation-55 penalty units, or * in the case of an individual-33 penalty units. (4) Exceptions Subsections (1)-(3) do not apply if: (a) the balloons are released unintentionally and without negligence, or Protection of the Environment Operations Amendment (Balloons) Act 2000 No 82 Schedule 1 Amendment of Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 Page 4 (b) the balloons are released inside a building or structure and do not make their way into the open air, or (c) the balloons are hot air balloons that are recovered after landing, or (d) the balloons are released for scientific (including meteorological) purposes. (5) Aggravation not proved If the court is satisfied that a person charged with an offence under subsection (3) is not guilty of that offence but is satisfied on the evidence that the person is guilty of an offence under subsection (1) or (2), the court may find the person guilty of the offence under subsection (1) or (2), and the person is liable to punishment accordingly. (6) Evidence In any proceedings under this section: (a) it is not necessary for the prosecutor to establish the exact number of balloons released, and (b) evidence that a balloon rose in the air after being released is, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, evidence that the balloon was inflated with a gas that caused it to rise in the air.

The intentional releasing of helium balloons into the atmosphere is prohibited under Local Law No. 3 (Community Health and Environment Management) 2011.

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Mass balloon releases are illegal in several states, cities, and countries. Releasing balloons and sky lanterns should be illegal everywhere, because after all, it is simply littering. States in the US that have laws: California, Connecticut, Florida, Tennessee and Virginia.

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Lanternas Do Céu | Sky Lanterns | Balões São João

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Lanternas Do Céu | Sky Lanterns | Balões São João

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Loja online de decorações para festas e eventos c/entrega express gratuita por Portugal inteiro.

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Conhecidas por trazerem boa sorte e por concretizarem desejos, estas lanternas são cada vez mais uma tendência em casamentos.

Os convidados escrevem pensamentos positivos para o novo casal e depois lançam as lanternas, tornando aquele momento inesquecível e romântico.

Como achei bonitinho, e como sou romântica por natureza, aqui vai esta belíssima ideia.

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Conhecidas por trazerem boa sorte e por concretizarem desejos, estas lanternas são cada vez mais uma tendência em casamentos. Os convidados escrevem pensamentos positivos para o novo casal e depois lançam as lanternas, tornando aquele momento inesquecível e romântico. Como achei bonitinho, e como sou romântica por natureza, aqui vai esta belíssima ideia.

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Tangled - I See the Light (HD) - YouTube

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Tangled - I See the Light (HD) - YouTube

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5,000 paper lanterns are released into the sky as part of the Lantern Festival in Pingshi, Taiwan. Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE for more awesome vids: http://bit.ly/DViewSubscribe More from Diagonal View: Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/diagonalview Twitter: https://twitter.com/diagonalview For more Awesome videos visit our channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/diagonaluk More of Dem Feels: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcQcWi4_GxnTD3XYA2D1RdLPgHlYc8np3

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O Festival das Lanternas Chinês | Louco por Viagens

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O Festival das Lanternas Chinês | Louco por Viagens

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O Festival das Lanternas marca o último dia do período de 15 dias em que se festeja o "Ano Novo Chinês". A prática de enviar lanternas aos céus tinha antes o objetivo de comunicação entre os moradores das cidades locais.

Hoje em dia, preces são escritas nas lanternas pedindo por amor, sorte e felicidade, antes de serem enviadas aos céus. Durante 6 dias, cerca de 5000 lanternas são soltas. Em alguns lugares, o Festival é também conhecido como a versão chinesa do Valentine's Day, um dia de celebrar o amor e afeição entre os enamorados.

O vídeo abaixo mostra um pouco desse belo Festival em Pingxi, no norte de Taiwan.

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O Festival das Lanternas Chinês | Louco por Viagens

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O Festival das Lanternas marca o último dia do período de 15 dias em que se festeja o "Ano Novo Chinês". A prática de enviar lanternas aos céus tinha antes o objetivo de comunicação entre os moradores das cidades locais. Hoje em dia, preces são escritas nas lanternas pedindo por amor, sorte e felicidade, antes [...]

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Quais são os costumes do Festival das Lanternas da ChinaEpoch Times em Português

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Quais são os costumes do Festival das Lanternas da ChinaEpoch Times em Português

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O Festival das Lanternas é uma das cinco festas tradicionais mais importantes na China. Sempre no 15º dia do primeiro mês do calendário lunar, este dia é o auge das festividades de Ano Novo e também marca o final das celebrações do Ano Novo. Este ano, ele cai em 14 de fevereiro, que por coincidência é o Dia dos Namorados.

O Festival das Lanternas, ou "元宵節" (Yuánxiāojié), como é chamado em chinês, tem diversas origens. O nome em si é importante, pois se relaciona com o primeiro mês do ano, 'yuan', e com uma palavra chinesa antiga para noite, 'xiao'. Quanto ao momento, a primeira lua cheia do ano ocorre no 15º dia do primeiro mês lunar.

A maioria das lendas sobre a origem do festival remonta à Dinastia Han (206 a.C.-220 d.C.). Assim como a cultura tradicional chinesa está intimamente ligada ao mundo natural e a suas crenças, o Festival das Lanternas também está associado à religião e a lendas.

Uma das primeiras lendas conta como o primeiro imperador a unificar a China, Qin Shihuang, instituiu cerimônias elaboradas neste dia auspicioso para adorar Tai Yi, o Deus dos Céus. A esperança era receber bênçãos e graça divina no Ano Novo. Mais tarde, em 104 a.C., Han Wudi tornou o evento uma celebração oficial, com uma cerimônia que durava até o dia seguinte.

Outras lendas sugerem que lanternas vermelhas e brilhantes foram criadas e eram exibidas para lograr os deuses para fazê-los acreditar que uma aldeia que fora alvo da ira divina já estava em chamas e não havia necessidade de ser destruída. No entanto, outra história sugere que, além da exibição das lanternas, os bolinhos doces tangyuan, também chamados 'yuanxiao', eram feitos para apaziguar um deus ofendido mas que gostava de doces.

Na China, há muitas maneiras de celebrar o festival. No entanto, as lanternas e os yuanxiao são os dois itens mais populares no dia e se tornaram os símbolos do festival.
Comendo yuanxiao
Durante a Dinastia Song (960-1279 d.C.), comer yuanxiao se tornou uma parte importante do Festival das Lanternas. O yuanxiao, também chamado 'tangyuan', é um pequeno bolinho de massa em forma de bola feito de farinha de arroz glutinoso ou farinha de trigo e com recheio dentro. Eles podem ser cozidos na água, cozidos no vapor ou fritos. A forma redonda do bolinho de massa simboliza a união e coesão da família.

Nos tempos antigos, o yuanxiao era geralmente recheado com açúcar, nozes, gergelim, pétalas de rosa, casca de tangerina adoçada, pasta de feijão vermelho, tâmara, pasta de semente de lótus ou frutos secos. Um único ingrediente ou alguma combinação podiam ser utilizados. Modernamente, surgiram variedades salgadas preenchidas com carne moída, legumes ou uma mistura dos dois.

O método de preparo do Sul da China envolve moldar a massa de farinha de arroz em bolas, fazer um buraco, inserir o recheio e depois alisar o bolinho e enrolá-lo nas mãos.

No Norte da China, recheios doces ou sem carne são os ingredientes habituais. O enchimento ou recheio é pressionado como um núcleo compacto; este é levemente mergulhado em água e então enrolado num cesto plano contendo farinha de arroz glutinoso seca. O núcleo é rolado e enrolado na farinha, como se fazendo uma bola de neve, até que atinja o tamanho desejado.

Embora os tipos de yuanxiao variem de lugar para lugar, para o povo chinês, comer yuanxiao com a família reunida numa atmosfera alegre é a parte mais importante deste dia.
Desfrutando as lanternas brilhantes
Diz-se que o segundo Imperador Ming da Dinastia Han Oriental (25-220 d.C.) era um budista devoto. Ele estabeleceu o costume de realizar o Festival das Lanternas no 15º dia do primeiro mês lunar.

O Imperador Ming foi coroado em 57 d.C. e reinou por 19 anos. Quando ele soube que os monges na Índia se reuniam para adorar uma relíquia de Buda no 15º dia do primeiro mês lunar, Ming decidiu aproveitar a ocasião auspiciosa para adorar o Buda também. Ele realizou cerimônias de "Iluminação do Buda" no palácio durante a noite com muitas lanternas iluminadas. Era muito bonito. Os templos na China seguiram o costume primeiro, e depois ele se espalhou pelas famílias.

Com o aumento da influência cultural do budismo e do taoísmo em dinastias posteriores, o costume de "iluminar-se" no 15º dia do primeiro mês gradualmente se espalhou por toda a China.

Lanternas tradicionais eram grandes e coloridas, muitas vezes imitando a arquitetura chinesa antiga ou arredondadas. A estrutura era geralmente feita de bambu, que seria então coberta com papel colorido ou seda.

Nos tempos modernos, folhas de plástico cobrem armações de arame. Lanternas com desenhos animados, de vidro e eletrônicas podem ser vistas entre as lanternas clássicas.

Parques de lanternas são construídos em toda a China apenas para o festival. As pessoas podem apreciar as obras de arte coloridas durante o dia e acendê-las e apreciar seu brilho deslumbrante durante a noite. A cena é tão maravilhosa que praticamente todos saem para apreciar as lanternas ou participar na brincadeira dos enigmas da lanterna com suas famílias e amigos.
Resolvendo enigmas
Enigmas da lanterna são escritos diretamente nas lanternas penduradas. Durante o festival, as pessoas podem adivinhar a resposta de um caractere, um poema ou uma frase. Os enigmas geralmente consistem de três partes: o enigma, uma dica (se é uma pessoa, coisa, caractere ou raciocínio) e uma resposta.

Para descobrir um enigma da lanterna, você deve refletir sobre o significado mais profundo de cada caractere ou palavra no enigma. Aquele que resolve a maioria dos enigmas é considerado a pessoa mais sábia daquele ano e lugar. Eis alguns exemplos de enigmas:

Enigma: Alguns irmãos se sentam juntos em torno de um poste. Quando eles são separados, suas roupas são rasgadas.
Dica: Coisa
Resposta: Alho

Enigma: Que edifício tem mais histórias?
Dica: Coisa
Resposta: Biblioteca

Enigma: O que é mais rápido, quente ou frio?
Dicas: Raciocínio
Resposta: Quente, porque você sente calor, mas pega resfriado.

Num ambiente tradicional, muitas risadas e aplausos marcam este evento habitual.
Outras celebrações do festival
Além de comer os deliciosos yuanxiao e resolver enigmas de lanternas coloridas; em diferentes partes da China há outras atividades para comemorar o festival.

Soltar fogos de artifício: Fogos de artifício são uma parte importante deste feriado nas comunidades chinesas em todo o mundo. Acender fogos de artifício, que são principalmente destinados a produzir muito ruído, visaria a afugentar espíritos malévolos, afastando assim o infortúnio.

Dança do Dragão: Chineses consideram o dragão como uma criatura sagrada. Por mais de 2 mil anos, a Dança do Dragão tem sido uma forma de dança tradicional e agora é um evento regular no Festival das Lanternas da China. Ele é realizado por um grupo de pessoas que carregam partes do dragão, da cabeça à cauda, numa linha fluida conectada.

Dança do Leão: A dança do leão é outra forma de dança tradicional na cultura chinesa. Nesta dança, dois artistas imitam os movimentos de um leão num elaborado traje de leão. Isso normalmente inclui alguns saltos acrobáticos e destreza admirável.

Caligrafia: Alguns calígrafos de aldeia exibem suas formidáveis habilidades escrevendo enigmas em lanternas ou pintando quadros durante o Festival das Lanternas.

Teatro de fantoches: Este show de marionetes destaca bonecos de madeira articuláveis e tem suas raízes nos tempos antigos. Fantoches de cordas, varetas ou de mão são usados habilmente para encantar crianças.

Jogo de sombras: Também conhecido como fantochada de sombras; o jogo de sombras envolve formas recortadas de figuras que são postas entre uma fonte de luz e uma tela translúcida. Vários efeitos podem ser obtidos movendo-se os bonecos e a fonte de luz. Esta é uma forma antiga de contar histórias e entretenimento.

Correndo para afastar 100 doenças: Grupos de mulheres chinesas, especialmente em Taiwan, saem para passear à noite durante o Festival das Lanternas. Elas também visitam a cidade ou o interior, admiram a paisagem ou vão aos templos. Acredita-se que sair de casa neste período afastará doenças e conservará a saúde durante o ano.

O Festival das Lanternas é considerado o festival mais recreativo ou participativo na China. Praticamente todos estão envolvidos em algum nível e poetas eminentes na história chinesa têm narrado as tradições do festival.

Embora os costumes do Festival das Lanternas tenham mudado significativamente ao longo dos anos, apreciar as lanternas e comer yuanxiao continuam sendo costumes principais observados nas celebrações do povo chinês em todo o mundo.

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Quais são os costumes do Festival das Lanternas da China

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O Festival das Lanternas é uma das cinco festas tradicionais mais importantes na China. Sempre no 15º dia do primeiro mês do calendário lunar, este dia é o auge das festividades de Ano Novo e também marca o final das celebrações do Ano Novo.

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Team Newbrook no Instagram: “Good afternoon Newbrooker's 🐎 Sadly today we have yet again found another awful 😔 Sky lanterns on the farm 🚜 Lucky it was in a section of…”

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Team Newbrook no Instagram: “Good afternoon Newbrooker's 🐎 Sadly today we have yet again found another awful 😔 Sky lanterns on the farm 🚜 Lucky it was in a section of…”

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Five problems caused by Chinese lanterns - BBC News

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Five problems caused by Chinese lanterns - BBC News

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A massive fire at a recycling plant in the West Midlands is thought to have been started by Chinese lanterns. As well as being a fire risk, they're associated with other problems.

Fire chiefs called for an "urgent review" into the use of Chinese lanterns after more than 200 firefighters were called to the fire in the town of Smethwick.

The lanterns have become an increasingly popular sight at weddings, Halloween celebrations, music festivals and even funerals, with an estimated 200,000 being sold in the UK every year.

The paper lanterns consist of a candle or a fuel cell filled with paraffin wax suspended inside a frame of wire or bamboo. When lit, they float gently upwards and drift away, landing when the fuel has run out. They can reach up to 1,000m in height and drift for several miles in the breeze.

There are already bans or restrictions on the lanterns in a number of countries because of the hazards they can cause.

1. The danger to the environment and fire risk led Glastonbury festival organisers to ban Chinese lanterns. In 2011, festival organiser Michael Eavis called for a nationwide ban. Farmers' groups and animal charities have long pushed for the lanterns to be withdrawn from sale, arguing that animals can eat parts after they have landed. In 2010, a cow died from eating a piece of a lantern's wire frame, which ruptured its stomach, and a foal had to be put down after it injured itself on a fence because it was startled by two lights that landed in its field. A number of firms in the UK offer what they describe as eco-friendly lanterns, where the frame is made from bamboo rather than wire, but the RSPCA argues these are still potentially harmful. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has turned down calls for a ban after concluding that the risk of death and injury they posed to livestock was "low".

2. False alarms at sea for both the Coastguard and RNLI, after lanterns were mistaken for flares, led to more calls for a ban. In 2010, the RNLI said it saw a significant increase in the number of lifeboat callouts caused by lanterns. The Marine Conservation Society last year added its voice to the campaign after a survey of beaches found an increase in rubber, paper and pieces of metal. The charity wants the lanterns to be classed as litter so people releasing them could be fined as much as £2,500, arguing that they are a danger to marine life, among other things.

3. According to civil aviation authorities, there is a danger of lanterns being sucked into engines while airborne. On the ground, lantern debris has the potential to cause damage to aircraft engines, tyres and fuselage, they argue. The lanterns have been banned in the popular tourist destination of Sanya, China, after dozens of flights had to be delayed. Last year, the Civil Aviation Authority in Donegal warned against the use of the lanterns after one landed near a container packed with thousands of gallons of aviation fuel.

4. They pose a fire risk. In a nationwide survey in 2011, a third of Britain's fire brigades said they had received emergency callouts to extinguish lanterns. Damage caused included scorched gardens and roofs. But firefighters said they had experienced a number of false alarms as the lanterns had burned themselves out before they arrived. The lanterns are at their most dangerous in the summer because of drier conditions. They have been banned from a number of local authority firework displays.

5. UFO sightings dramatically increased as lanterns became more popular. Recently released National Archive files show that the Ministry of Defence's now-defunct UFO desk logged three times as many reports in 2009 - the year it was shut down - than in an average year. At the time, Nick Pope, head of the MoD's UFO Project, supported the theory that many of those sightings were down to Chinese lanterns. "I'm not disparaging the whole UFO phenomenon," he said at the time. "But I'd say 99% of UFO reports involving orange lights in the sky these days are attributable to these lanterns." One of the earliest UK newspaper headlines revealing the confusion between lanterns and UFOs was in 2006. Residents of a small Scottish town who spotted strange lights in the sky called the police, but the "saucers" turned out to be Chinese lanterns released during a wedding ceremony. The Daily Star reported the incident with the headline: "DID THE EARTH MOVE 4 UFO? ALIENS WEDDING PANIC."
You can follow the Magazine on Twitter and on Facebook

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Five problems caused by Chinese lanterns

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A massive fire at a recycling plant in the West Midlands is thought to have been started by Chinese lanterns. As well as being a fire risk, they're associated with other problems. Fire chiefs called for an "urgent review" into the use of Chinese lanterns after more than 200 firefighters were called to the fire in the town of Smethwick.

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Chinese lanterns | Sky lanterns | Litter

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Chinese lanterns | Sky lanterns | Litter

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Chinese (or 'Sky') lanterns consist of a paper-covered wire or bamboo frame and an open flame heat source, which lifts the lantern into the air where it can float for miles from the point of release. Once extinguished the lantern falls back to earth.

Chinese lanterns can be dangerous to animals

Lanterns pose a threat to animals, as they can cause injury, suffering, and death, through:

ingestion,

entanglement,

entrapment.

When ingested the sharp parts of a Chinese Lantern can tear and puncture an animal's throat or stomach causing internal bleeding.

Animals can become entangled in fallen lantern frames and suffer from injury and stress struggling to get free, or starve to death. Marine life is endangered by lanterns falling into the sea.

Fire risk

Sky lanterns can cause fires, which destroy habitats and set animal housing, feed and bedding alight. They are already been banned in some countries and fire services have issued warnings to people over the fire risk following incidents such as the Smethwick recycling plant fire.

Don't be fooled into thinking that 'biodegradable' lanterns are safe! Bamboo can take decades to degrade and there is still a fire risk.

Alternatives

We're urging people to use alternatives to Chinese lanterns:

Stationary candles, nightlights

Static lanterns or outdoor lights.

Plant a tree in memory of a loved one.

What can you do?

Landowners have called for a ban on Chinese lanterns in the UK, following cases of livestock injured or killed from eating lantern parts accidentally chopped into animal feed during harvest, or getting caught in wire frames that have landed in fields.

Help us, and many other organisations including the Marine Conservation Society, Women's Food and Farming Union (WFU), Soil Association and National Farmers Union (NFU), to call for a ban on Chinese lanterns.

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Chinese lanterns | Sky lanterns | Litter

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Chinese (or 'Sky') lanterns consist of a paper-covered wire or bamboo frame and an open flame heat source, which lifts the lantern into the air where it can float for miles from the point of release. Once extinguished the lantern falls back to earth.

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The use of sky lanterns have been banned by the Malta Standards Authority with immediate effect.

In a statement the authority said that the sky lanterns, also known as wish lanterns, were deemed unsafe and posed a serious risk to consumers.

These lanterns are frequently used during festivities, fairs and celebrations. They operate by igniting a liquid or a small solid fuel slab which is located and held in place at the lower extremities of a fabric or paper dome-shaped bag which inflates by the action of hot gases being released from the burning fuel.

Once inflated, the lanterns are released into the atmosphere where they float haphazardly out of control of the human user. Such mode of operation may cause the lantern to glide onto flammable or highly combustible materials such as houses, fields and cars, thus posing an obvious risk to third party individuals and property, the authority said.

It said that due to these risks, such lanterns were banned in several other European states and were known to have ignited fires in other countries.

The authority told operators that if these lanterns were found on the market during inspections carried out by market surveillance officers, the economic operator would be liable to legal action as prescribed by law.

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The use of sky lanterns have been banned by the Malta Standards Authority with immediate effect. In a statement the authority said that the sky lanterns, also known as wish lanterns, were deemed unsafe and posed a serious risk to consumers. These lanterns are frequently used during festivities,...

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‘Lanterns can be killers’ warning | Staff Newsletter

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‘Lanterns can be killers’ warning | Staff Newsletter

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Dead owl found trapped in Chinese lantern - BBC News

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Dead owl found trapped in Chinese lantern - BBC News

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An owl has been found dead apparently after becoming tangled up in a Chinese lantern at a Gloucestershire farm.

It was discovered on land at Breadstone near Berkeley on Wednesday.

Farmer Simon Pain said he was "shocked" by the discovery of the barn owl, which he believed had been hunting for food near the grass margin of a field.

Spokesman for the National Farmers Union (NFU) Ian Johnson said: "Whilst these lanterns look very pretty there are unforeseen consequences."

"We've been warning about about them for some time, certainly in terms of livestock," he added.

"Now we can see what a hazard they are to wildlife as well."

'Key bird'

Mr Johnson said the NFU would back any proposal leading to a ban on the lanterns coming into force.

Mr Pain said: "The barn owl on the farm is one of the key birds we have.

"For the last 10 years we've been trying to create the right environment for the birds to live and survive.

"I'd be more than happy to see a ban [on lanterns]," he added.

There have been numerous calls for a ban on Chinese lanterns, which are seen as a fire risk.

The lanterns' metal parts can also kill cows if the animals eat them, farmers have warned.

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An owl has been found dead apparently after becoming tangled up in a Chinese lantern at a Gloucestershire farm. It was discovered on land at Breadstone near Berkeley on Wednesday. Farmer Simon Pain said he was "shocked" by the discovery of the barn owl, which he believed had been hunting for food near the grass margin of a field.

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https://balloonsblow.org/flaming-litter/

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Flaming Litter

Similar to released balloons, sky lanterns all return to earth as litter. They are often marketed as "biodegradable" or "earth- friendly," both untrue. Sky lanterns are made with treated paper, wires and/or a bamboo ring. They can travel for miles and always land as dangerous litter. Sky lanterns have caused huge structure fires and wildfires. This flaming aerial trash has caused serious burns to humans and killed animals who eat them or become entangled in their fallen remains.

Entire countries have banned the use of sky lanterns, including Argentine, Austria, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Spain, Germany and parts of Canada. In the USA, bans include Alaska, California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia and Washington. Other states, including Kansas and Missouri and the New York Division of Fire Prevention and Control, are also looking into adopting changes to fire codes to regulate the use of sky lanterns.

The FAA has raised concerns over the use of floating lanterns as they can be sucked into aircraft engines.
Wildfire Today - Sky Lantern Fires
National Association of State Fire Marshals Recommend Ban on Sky Lanterns
FireMarshals.org - March 2013
"Resolution of the national association of state fire marshals on the fire hazard posed by sky lanterns and recommendation to impose state-level bans on their sale and use"

Colorado Springs Fire Department
Division of the Fire Marshal - May 2013
"These devices have been known to travel great distances from the point of release which poses a serious fire and safety hazard due to the potential of starting unintended fires in populated or unpopulated areas. ... The uses of sky lanterns or related devices are a violation of the Colorado Springs Fire Code and thus are not permitted to be used
within Colorado Springs city limits."

Boy burned by Chinese lantern in Wrexham
Daily Post UK - November 2010
"...screamed in agony when scalding hot wax poured over his face at a Bonfire Night party...from a lantern set off into the night sky."

Plea to ban flying Chinese lanterns as cows are killed by them
"Three Guernsey cows suffered agonizing deaths from eating wire from sky lanterns. The flying lanterns float into fields & get chopped up with crops for animal feed. It means the feed contains 2in strips of wire which cause internal bleeding in cows."

Calls to ban 'dangerous' Chinese lanterns
Horse & Hound - July 2013
"A terrible fire in the West Midlands caused by a Chinese lantern has prompted further demands from the British Horse Society and County Land and Business Association for them to be banned."

Family recovers from crash likely caused by fallen sky lantern
MLive.com - August 2012
"She hit the brakes, swerved, went off the road and crashed into a tree. ...serious facial and internal injuries and required several surgeries. ..."

Farmer calls for ban on lanterns after cow dies in agony
Newmarket Journal - June 2013
"The metal frame became entangled around her lungs and slowly infected her internal organs. After developing gangrene, which left her in excruciating pain and threatened both her life and that of her premature, unborn calf, she hurriedly gave birth knowing that she was just days from death."

Boy's mother gives warning about Chinese lantern burns
The Northern Echo - August 2010
"A schoolboy could be scarred for life after a Chinese lantern fell on his face."

Vancouver lantern festival lights up the night, leaves litter in the day
Global News - February 2014
"...spent more than an hour cleaning up the lanterns, but couldn't reach dozens of them that were stuck high up in the trees..."

Austria Wishing Lantern Regulation
Regulation of the Minister of Labor, Social Affairs and Consumer Protection

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Sky Lanterns - Flaming Litter | Balloons Blow

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Flaming Litter Similar to released balloons, sky lanterns all return to earth as litter. They are often marketed as "biodegradable" or "earth- friendly," both untrue. Sky lanterns are made with treated paper, wires and/or a bamboo ring. They can travel for miles and always land as dangerous litter.

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Sky lanterns: beautiful, but dangerous | Environment | The Guardian

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Sky lanterns: beautiful, but dangerous | Environment | The Guardian

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It was fun while it lasted, but it seems the trend for sky lanterns might be heading for a forced landing. The National Farmers' Union has joined the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in expressing deep reservations about the continued sale of paper lanterns containing tea-light candles. In recent years, the lanterns have become popular at outdoor events, such as wedding receptions and music festivals, with revellers lighting hundreds and watching them float off into the night sky to a chorus of "oohs" and "aahs".

But what goes up must come down, and farmers in particular have become increasingly concerned that livestock might swallow a lantern's wire or bamboo frame, or, even worse, that fires might break out in hay barns.

"If swallowed, the wire could puncture the stomach lining, and in some cases this could prove fatal," says Mike Thomas, a NFU spokesman. "There's also a good chance that the wire could get wrapped around an animal's foot and become embedded in the skin, which would be terribly painful."

Elsewhere, coastguards say lanterns, which can travel for several kilometres and to an altitude of 1,000m before the candle burns out, are routinely mistaken for distress flares. A handful of east Asian countries, such as Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand, have already introduced bans, particularly in the lead up to major festivals.

An Essex-based company called Sky Lanterns, which claims to be the "world's leading supplier", says it would like to see wire-framed lanterns banned and is now developing a new wire-free lantern that will be "coming in the next month or so". It recommends that revellers let the local coastguard know in advance if they are planning to light any lanterns, never release them near dry crops, nor within five miles of an airport, nor in winds above 5mph. They should also ensure "trees are not in the flight path".

Concerns about these lanterns don't seem to have drifted towards Indonesia, though. In December, the sky lantern world record was broken when 10,318 lanterns were lit simultaneously at the annual Freedom Faithnet Global event in Jakarta. The event was billed as having "an environmental focus".
Topics

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It was fun while it lasted, but it seems the trend for sky ­lanterns might be heading for a forced landing. The ­National Farmers' Union has joined the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in expressing deep reservations about the continued sale of paper lanterns containing tea-light candles.

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O que é: Festival das Lanterna (Yi Peng)

Como funciona: Evento espiritual em homenagem à Buddha. Milhares de lanternas com velas são acessas e liberadas em direção ao céu, compondo um cenário surreal como um mar de luzes flutuantes. Cada lanterna significa um desejo, a chama da vela significa longevidade, realização, desejos e libertação de pecados.

Onde: Chiang Mai está localizada no Norte da Tailândia, a 800 kms de Bangkok, numa zona montanhosa com florestas de densa vegetação.

Quando acontece: A data deste festival só é anunciada semanas antes dele acontecer, mas geralmente acontece em Novembro.

Como chegar: A partir de Bangkok, pode-se chegar em Chiang Mai de ônibus (9 a 12 horas de viagem), preços entre 200 e 500 bahts. Outra alternativa são os trens (12 a 15 horas, incluindo opções de viagens noturnas). A opção mais rápida e mais cara são os aviões de companhias como a Thai Airways e Air Asia. É possível também alugar um carro, apesar de não ser o meio de transporte recomendado.

Onde ficar: A zona central de Chiang Mai, chamada "Old Town", é o coração e o principal centro turístico da cidade. É aqui que se encontram uma série de alojamentos para vários budgets, de hostels para orçamentos mais apertados até hotéis mais upscale. Dependendo do tipo de alojamento escolhido, os valores poderão ir dos R$8,00 por noite (sim, R$8,00!), até aos R$3.500 por noite.

Saúde: Certificação Internacional para Febre Amarela

Preço: Entrada gratuita para o festival.

Valor: Acompanhar com os olhos a subida da sua lanterna em direção ao céu ao lado de milhares de pessoas mentalizando juntas os seus desejos, emanando paz e positividade, não tem preço.

As imagens falam por si só, confira:

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O que é: Festival das Lanterna (Yi Peng) Como funciona: Evento espiritual em homenagem à Buddha. Milhares de lanternas com velas são acessas e liberadas em direção ao céu, compondo um cenário surreal como um mar de luzes flutuantes. Cada lanterna significa um desejo, a chama da vela significa longevidade, realização, desejos e libertação de...

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Cinco desafios que vão marcar a biodiversidade em Portugal em 2017 | Wilder

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Cinco desafios que vão marcar a biodiversidade em Portugal em 2017 | Wilder

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A possível construção de três barragens no rio Tâmega e o desinvestimento na conservação da natureza, sentido nos últimos anos, são algumas das questões que vão centrar a atenção dos ambientalistas portugueses no próximo ano, de acordo com a Quercus e com a Zero - Associação Sistema Terrestre Sustentável.

1. Construção de barragens no rio Tâmega: "Caso se confirme a construção das barragens do Alto-Tâmega pela Iberdrola, os habitats desta região serão seriamente ameaçados, dado que grande parte do investimento será feito numa zona de elevado valor ecológico", avisa a Quercus, numa nota relativa às expectativas para 2017, pedindo que o Governo "reavalie de melhor forma a necessidade de construção" destes equipamentos.

Entre os impactes ambientais "muito significativos" assinalados pela associação, encontram-se a "criação de barreiras incontornáveis para espécies migradoras" e a "degradação dos habitats de algumas das últimas alcateias do lobo".

Foi em Abril que a construção de três barragens no rio Tâmega - Daivões, Gouvães e Alto Tâmega - recebeu "luz verde" do Governo, no âmbito da reavaliação do Plano Nacional de Barragens. Já em Maio, a Iberdrola anunciou que iria arrancar com a construção da barragem de Daivões.

2. Investimento na conservação da natureza: A Quercus pede também "mais e melhor investimento para a conservação da natureza", referindo que "face a um desinvestimento claro" neste domínio durante os últimos anos, "é tempo de assumir os problemas de cariz ambiental e a conservação da natureza como prioritários.

Neste âmbito, a associação destaca que um aumento do investimento em educação e sensibilização ambiental nas Áreas Protegidas "seria um passo essencial para a moldagem de comportamentos e atitudes", sensibilizando as pessoas "para a importância da Conservação da Natureza".

3. Central nuclear de Almaraz: Já a a associação Zero aponta como "incompreensível" a "passividade" do Governo em relação à central nuclear de Almaraz, situada em Cáceres, a apenas 100 quilómetros da fronteira com Portugal. Isto quando em 2016 surgiram "evidências da insegurança" neste equipamento e perante "a intenção declarada de se prolongar por mais 10 anos ainda (até 2030) uma central já obsoleta e perigosa."

"Deseja-se que em 2017 o Governo Português assuma uma posição clara e firme sobre Almaraz, defendendo o interesse público", sublinha esta associação ambientalista.

4. Largadas de balões: Os ambientalistas da Quercus lembram que em 2017, o Ministério do Ambiente deverá legislar e proibir a largada de balões, "atendendo aos impactes ambientais, muitos deles irreversíveis, associados a este tipo de eventos".

Estão em questão os balões feitos de plástico e outros que têm associada uma lâmpada LED que, depois de serem libertados, deslocam-se para diferentes ambientes, no mar ou em terra, onde "ficarão depositados como um resíduo contaminante".

5. Utilização de fitofármacos nos espaços públicos: O Governo anunciou que iria avançar com legislação para proibir o uso de fitofármacos nos espaços públicos, recorda a associação Zero. "É uma medida muito bem-vinda mas que já peca por tardia, porque a aplicação de herbicidas na via pública é efetuada hoje de forma recorrente e descontrolada quando existem soluções não químicas alternativas para remoção de herbáceas", sublinha.

Os ambientalistas consideram que se deve apostar também no rastreio das substâncias químicas que formam a base de insecticidas, herbicidas e outros produtos semelhantes nos alimentos, nos recursos hídricos e nos seres humanos, já que se estima que entram no ambiente todos os anos 7.200 toneladas para a "proteção das plantas".

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Cinco desafios que vão marcar a biodiversidade em Portugal em 2017 - Wilder

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A possível construção de três barragens no rio Tâmega e o desinvestimento na conservação da natureza, sentido nos últimos anos, são algumas das questões que vão centrar a atenção dos ambientalistas portugueses no próximo ano, de acordo com a Quercus e com a Zero - Associação Sistema Terrestre Sustentável. 1.

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Unsustainable alternatives*
Sky lanterns: (Chinese paper lanterns) are not an environmentally-friendly alternative. Leaving a fire unattended is against fire code. Sky lanterns have started huge fires, caused serious burns, and have killed animals

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There are many alternatives to balloon releases. To avoid unintentionally littering with balloons, you can instead have fun, celebrate, and remember with environmentally-friendly alternatives.

Let your imagination soar and who knows what creative, one-of-a-kind idea you might come up with!

*Unsustainable alternatives*
Sky lanterns: (Chinese paper lanterns) are not an environmentally-friendly alternative. Leaving a fire unattended is against fire code. Sky lanterns have started huge fires, caused serious burns, and have killed animals.

Butterfly releases: Lepidopterologists warn butterfly releases are not good for the environment. They also promote the breeding and exploitation of animals. Click here or here for more information.

Dove releases: Wildlife rehabilitators advise against the release of all domestic birds. Casualties are still common even when a professional is used. They also promote the breeding and exploitation of animals. Click here for more information.

Here are some ideas to get you started...

Plant in remembrance - A great way to honor and remember a loved one or an important issue is to bring more life to our planet. By planting a native tree, flower garden or butterfly garden you are not only giving life to that plant you are also providing shelter, resources, and clean air to all kinds of wildlife and people. This remembrance will last a very long time and you can visit your tree or flower bed as much as you want and create more life by doing so!

Flowers and trees can also be used at fundraising events as incentives to donate. They could then be planted in a public area, perhaps taking on different shapes or words, or can be taken home by participants to be planted elsewhere as a living memory. Here's a great place to find trees: GiveTreeGifts.com. There are urns to plant as well. You can also help reforestation with memorial, celebration, or pet loss trees by visiting The Trees Remember.

Flags, banners, streamers and dancing inflatables - Many businesses are realizing the benefits of using reusable eye-catching signage. Colorful streamers, flags and banners save money and time over balloons, ribbons and helium. They are also weather resistant, save Helium, and can be reused again and again! Here are some great companies: Ribbon Streamers, Custom Made Flags, Fort Myers Banners.

- Instead of giving kids and guests balloons at parties or events, why not give them something a little more engaging? Balloons will simply sit tied up or be gone in a flash if released (not to mention harm wildlife and deplete helium resources). Ribbon dancers are beautiful and require people to move around and have fun!

A group of people spinning and twirling with a colorful long ribbon following their every move is surely a sight to see. You can even have guests make their own ribbon dancer, decorations and all!

- Vibrant fabric that dance in the high winds or eye-catching colors spinning in the garden. Unlike balloons, kites and spinners can be enjoyed for years. Here's a couple awesome places to find both, and more: Zephyr Kites, Lainie's Way, Fun with Wind. Kites can be a great prize to give people who donate and can then be flown to draw attention. Here is an example of a successful group that uses kites for fundraising.

- A great way to decorate for parties and celebrations is bunting! These beautiful waves of fabric can be made at home and uniquely designed with different patterns, shapes, and colors. They are also reusable, fun to make, and are sure to light up the party! Here is a link to learn how to make your own bunting.

- With flashy colors fluttering in the wind, pinwheels are sure to catch many eyes. They are great for attracting attention to businesses, awareness projects, birthday parties and more! Kids can have fun making their own, find easy instructions here. Click here for printable patriotic pinwheel. Here are examples of pinwheels making a point: Pinwheels for Prevention, Pinwheels for Peace.

- For some color burst at parties or celebrations, tissue paper pompoms are spectacular! These pretty, colorful poof balls can be easily made at home and are reusable. They are also fun activities for kids to make too! Here's a simple step-by-step guide to make your own pompoms.

Drumming - The drum has been called the heartbeat of Mother Earth. Using drums to celebrate does not create waste or cause danger to wildlife. The beat brings people together and can be used for any occasion. Here is a great example of how drumming can replace harmful celebrations.

Get flocked - A flock of pink flamingos brightens everyone's day. Fake flamingos can be placed on the lawn of one's choice for a donation, where they will stay for a few days before moving to the next scheduled location. They can be reused for years of flocking fun. Here is a great example.

Floating flowers - For some, the upward drifting of balloons gives them a sense of letting go, and at the same time thinking the balloon will eventually reach their loved one. Because remembering a loved one by potentially killing another life isn't exactly the best feeling, there are many alternatives. Floating flowers or flower petals down a calm stream can give you the same sense of letting go. You will be able to be in nature and feel the energy of your loved one and all the life that surrounds you! Be sure to use native flowers and not let go an excessive amount.

Wildflower seed bombs - A great way to give a gift that grows is by making your own flower seed bombs! It's important to only use native seeds. These little pounces will spread life-giving, beautiful flowers. Learn how to make your own seed bombs here.

Jump rope for a cause - Jump roping is fun, good for your body, and a great way to get people together! Using jump ropes to bring awareness to a cause engages participants and will bring attention from others who see. Here is a cause that has been very successful using jump ropes to bring awareness and funds to a growing issue.

Environmental Fundraising - Fundraising with Earth-themed and eco-conscious products. Raise funds and keep the environment clean of wasteful plastic straws. Fundraising with glass straws or here.

Ten eco-friendly fundraising ideas - Green Child Magazine has a great post.

Birthday parties without balloons - Birthday parties can be festive & exciting without boring, wasteful balloons. Here are some great examples.

- A stone can be used to paint memorials or celebrations! These beautiful stones can be placed in favorite spots, under trees, in gardens, along walkways, or inside. This is great for families or anyone that wants to leave a mark by using your imagination. Please be mindful when finding rocks to paint.

Luminaries - A great way to remember a loved one or welcome new life is by lighting candles. On the anniversary of the passing or the birthday of new life, everyone can light a candle and remember their loved one or wish and be filled by the light of the candle. This can be a lasting, and comforting connection between you and another life! Luminaries are beautiful at night and can be used to line sidewalks or placed in a group. Learn how to make a frosted Mason jar luminary. You can also find luminaries with designs on them here.

- Blowing bubbles is always fun; watching them bounce around towards the sky and twist with the wind. It also requires you to exhale and breathe. This is a great way to release your feelings as well and just let go. Imagine the spectacular sight of a countless number of bubbles floating away into the sky with a piece of every person that have gathered together! Here is a quick homemade recipe.

Giant bubbles - We love bubbles! And the good people at Dr. Zigs can get you started on creating your own giant bubbles. They 'strive to be a sustainable company and are driven by strong ethical and environmental principles'. These bubbles are a sight to behold and fun

for everyone. Easy-to-use wands allow anyone to blow their own. Let the breeze carry them away! The Bubble Bus is also exciting for events, celebrations, fundraisers or parties. Millions of bubbles big and small will surround everyone with joy! Make homemade bubble wands to create your own big bubbles here.

Mass Gathering - Having people come together to create a shape, word, or image can be very unifying and beautiful! This has been done to bring awareness to an issue/cause, for memorials, and celebrations. Everyone gets to participate to be a part of something bigger than themselves!

Memorials for beloved pets - Turn your pets cremations into nurturing memorials that will encourage more life. Planting native trees or wild flowers is a beautiful way to perpetuate your pets memory. You can find great alternatives here and here.

Origami Whales - Make your own pod of whales with origami whale instructions. Bring awareness to these gentle giants instead of harming them with balloons. Here is an example of how children can come together and make a difference.

Colored lights - Colored lights catch attentions during parties, holidays, and even on certain issues! It can replace a normal white light year-round at a business or be used temporarily on special days. Here is a great example of how colored lights can be used to bring awareness to an issue.

Races, walks and organized games - Engaging your audience is a key to a successful event. Fundraisers and awareness events can have racers, walkers or players donate to participate, all while attracting positive attention to the issue and having fun!

Marches - It is hard to pass by a large organized group of people and not wonder what brought them together that day. Marches are a great way to bring attention to a pressing issue or honorable individual from local people to large media networks!

Book and food drives - There are many items that can be collected by holding a drive like books, nonperishable food, art supplies, shoes, clothes, etc. All of the items gathered can be used to directly help provide to others in need and spread awareness at the same time.

Flying Wish Paper - Write your wishes on these thin pieces of paper, roll them up, light them, and watch them rise. There is very little ash left and way to get the floating effect without harming the environment. Check them out on Flying Wish Paper.

Shaved heads - This look can bring a lot of attention when a group of people are willing to shave their heads for a cause or person. This alternative is used at outreach events and memorials and can catch on fast with participants. The press is sure to pick up on the unusual look that so many people choose to wear.

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There are many alternatives to balloon releases. To avoid unintentionally littering with balloons, you can instead have fun, celebrate, and remember with environmentally-friendly alternatives. Let your imagination soar and who knows what creative, one-of-a-kind idea you might come up with! *Unsustainable alternatives* Sky lanterns: (Chinese paper lanterns) are not an environmentally-friendly alternative.

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Releases are all the rage at charity and commemoration events like birthday parties and weddings with hundreds taking place last week to celebrate the Royal Wedding.

Parents had been reassured by the primary school in a newsletter ahead of the event that the balloons would "biodegrade at the same rate as an oak leaf".

But Mr Vant said that his Belgian Blue and Limousin cross may well have died a slow and painful death.

Mr Vant, a fourth generation farmer of 34 years in the village of Stalisfield Green near Ashford, said: "My bull could have been suffering for up to 20 hours.

"When I found it, the string was wrapped round its tongue and the balloon was all round its neck, shutting off the airways.

"It's ridiculous. People think it's lovely when they let balloons go but they don't think about the consequences when they fall to earth.

"It's a fact that due to these balloons and Chinese lanterns a lot of animals are being injured or killed.

"We are always having balloons and Chinese lanterns landing in the fields and a while ago one of my sheep got its legs tangled up in the string from another balloon.

"We are trying to produce food for the public. It is just so irresponsible to be sending these things into the sky. It is legalised fly-tipping."

The school apologised to Mr Vant but its insurer Gallagher Bassett initially denied liability, claiming the cow's death was "unforeseeable".

Mr Vant, who farms hundreds of acres and rears beef cattle for 400-year-old, award-winning local pub The Plough's menu, said: "The balloon had a label attached showing it had been released by the primary school.

"When I contacted them they apologised. The headmaster was decent about it and said he was really sorry.

"The school passed the details to their insurer but they wrote saying liability had been denied on behalf of the London borough of Southwark.

"Their letter said in order to establish a claim against their client, it was necessary to show they had acted negligently.

"They said it was 'unforeseeable' the balloon would have travelled so far and would have caused the 'alleged incident', so they would not be paying any compensation.

"Do they expect these balloons to land neatly in a waste bin? If it hadn't landed on my field it could easily have landed on someone else's.

"If that school hadn't sent the balloon up, my bullock would still be alive."

Mr Vant's cow was valued at £850 and he had to pay £150 for its carcass to be removed from his farm after the March incident.

The insurer eventually caved in and recently sent him a cheque for £889, still leaving him out of pocket.

Farmers nationwide have been complaining about the threat to livestock posed by debris from mass releases of balloons and Chinese lanterns.

The paper lanterns with candles inside float for several miles before crashing to the ground and can cause death or injury if eaten by animals.

The National Farmers' Union has written to the Government calling for a ban.

NFU spokesman Mike Thomas said: "These releases may be pretty but we are getting more and more reports from farmers of livestock dying.

"Whether it is mass balloons or Chinese lanterns, we would really urge people to think twice because they cause serious problems for farmers and are a litter nuisance as well."

The Marine Conservation Society is also urging revellers not to release balloons, which can kill fish, seabirds, turtles and even whales and dolphins.

A spokesman said: "Balloon litter often ends up floating at sea and is deadly for many marine wildlife species."

The school's head teacher Nick Hammill said: "Since the accident we've done a post-event risk assessment and we won't be doing balloon releases in the future."

Councillor Richard Livingstone, Southwark Council's cabinet member for finance, resources and community safety, said: "We're extremely saddened to hear about this unfortunate incident.

"Clearly this is not something which could have been foreseen by those releasing the balloons, who were looking simply to raise money for good causes in a perfectly normal way."

Insurer Gallagher and Bassett declined to comment.

In its Code of Conduct, Nabas, the balloon association, advises that balloons should be released without string or ribbons attached.

It says that properly-inflated balloons rise about five miles into the atmosphere, where they become brittle and shatter into tiny fragments.

Earlier this year, Chester farmer Hugh Rowlands told how his pedigree Red Poll cow died after eating a Chinese lantern.

He said: "The fine wire inside it had punctured her oesophagus. So she'd in effect spent a long, painful 48 hours suffocating on her own feed."

Ruth Pidsley, a farmer from the Wirral, said she had woken up one morning to find 57 Chinese lanterns dotted around her farm.

The NFU is concerned lit lanterns could set fire to fields of standing crops or straw, or to barns or thatched properties.

And coastguards have reported several cases of false alarms after lanterns were mistaken for red flares sent up by boats in distress.

A spokesman for insurer Gallagher Bassett said: "Mr Vant's claim was settled based upon the information he provided as to loss.

"Any suggestion he was left out of pocket is erroneous. No admission has been made regarding liability."

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Farmer wins compensation after Red Nose Day balloon kills cow

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Releases are all the rage at charity and commemoration events like birthday parties and weddings with hundreds taking place last week to celebrate the Royal Wedding. Parents had been reassured by the primary school in a newsletter ahead of the event that the balloons would "biodegrade at the same rate as an oak leaf".

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TaraRecuperavel.org: movimento cívico de acção ambiental

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Então permita-me que lhe coloque umas questões para sua reflexão:

Sabia que actualmente o plástico na Natureza, e em particular no mar, é um dos maiores flagelos ambientais dos nossos tempos, sendo responsável pela morte de golfinhos, baleias, aves ou peixes que o confundem com alimento?

Já reflectiu acerca de qual será o destino dos balões de plástico largados para o ar após serem levados pelo vento e rebentarem?

Será coerente ensinar as crianças que os pequenos gestos fazem a diferença e que não devem sequer atirar um único papel para o chão, mas lançar na Natureza inúmeros objectos de latex sufocante?

Imagens que valem mil palavras

Video de balão encontrado na praia

Para saber mais:

Sobre Daniel Gomes

Sou surfista, mergulhador, pai, activista ambiental e cientista.

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Gosta de ver largadas de balões? Então permita-me que lhe coloque umas questões para sua reflexão: Sabia que actualmente o plástico na Natureza, e em particular no mar, é um dos maiores flagelos ambientais dos nossos tempos, sendo responsável pela morte de golfinhos, baleias, aves ou peixes que o confundem com alimento?

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Chinese (or ‘Sky’) lanterns consist of a paper-covered wire or bamboo frame and an open flame heat source, which lifts the lantern into the air where it can float for miles from the point of release. Once extinguished the lantern falls back to earth.

Lanterns pose a threat to animals, as they can cause injury, suffering, and death, through:

ingestion,

entanglement,

entrapment.

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Chinese (or 'Sky') lanterns consist of a paper-covered wire or bamboo frame and an open flame heat source, which lifts the lantern into the air where it can float for miles from the point of release. Once extinguished the lantern falls back to earth.

Chinese lanterns can be dangerous to animals

Lanterns pose a threat to animals, as they can cause injury, suffering, and death, through:

ingestion,

entanglement,

entrapment.

When ingested the sharp parts of a Chinese Lantern can tear and puncture an animal's throat or stomach causing internal bleeding.

Animals can become entangled in fallen lantern frames and suffer from injury and stress struggling to get free, or starve to death. Marine life is endangered by lanterns falling into the sea.

Fire risk

Sky lanterns can cause fires, which destroy habitats and set animal housing, feed and bedding alight. They are already been banned in some countries and fire services have issued warnings to people over the fire risk following incidents such as the Smethwick recycling plant fire.

Don't be fooled into thinking that 'biodegradable' lanterns are safe! Bamboo can take decades to degrade and there is still a fire risk.

Alternatives

We're urging people to use alternatives to Chinese lanterns:

Stationary candles, nightlights

Static lanterns or outdoor lights.

Plant a tree in memory of a loved one.

What can you do?

Landowners have called for a ban on Chinese lanterns in the UK, following cases of livestock injured or killed from eating lantern parts accidentally chopped into animal feed during harvest, or getting caught in wire frames that have landed in fields.

Help us, and many other organisations including the Marine Conservation Society, Women's Food and Farming Union (WFU), Soil Association and National Farmers Union (NFU), to call for a ban on Chinese lanterns.

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Chinese lanterns | Sky lanterns | Litter

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Chinese (or 'Sky') lanterns consist of a paper-covered wire or bamboo frame and an open flame heat source, which lifts the lantern into the air where it can float for miles from the point of release. Once extinguished the lantern falls back to earth.