Sky Lanterns and balloons

Sky lanterns and balloons

Sky Lanterns (aka Chinese Lanterns) are essentially small hot air balloons consisting of a paper-covered wire, rope or bamboo frame and a suspended open flame heat source.

The heat source lifts the lantern into the air where it can then float for miles from the point of release. Once the flame weakens, the lantern can begin to fall back to earth. Sky Lanterns have grown in popularity in recent years and are released into the sky at night at events such as weddings, festivals or commemorative events. As it is impossible to control where the released lanterns will eventually land, they pose a number of potential hazards.

Balloon releases are when numerous balloons, typically filled with helium or hydrogen, are released into the sky.

Released balloons eventually fall back to earth as litter. 45% of Marine Conservation Society beach cleans in 2023 recorded balloon litter. Balloons, even those labelled as biodegradable, can take a long time to decompose and can harm wildlife. 

What are the hazards?

1. Animal Injury & Suffering: 
   
   Sky lantern parts can accidentally get chopped into animal feed during harvest and then be eaten by livestock. Eating sharp parts can tear and puncture an animal’s throat and/or stomach causing internal bleeding and potentially death. 
   
   Animals may also get caught up in fallen wire frames  from sky lanterns and suffer serious injury and distress in struggling to get free.
   
   Balloons and their strings can be mistaken for food by marine animals like turtles, dolphins, and seabirds, leading to entanglement or ingestion, which can be fatal. 
   
   Dolphins, whales, turtles and seabirds have all been reported with balloons in their stomachs.
   
   
2. Fire:
   
   Sky lanterns can cause risk to buildings, dry standing crops, forestry, hay/straw stacks and habitats. For example, a sky lantern was the cause of a massive fire at a plastics recycling facility in Smethwick. More than 200 fire fighters and nearly 40 fire engines were required to tackle the fire, which sent a plume of smoke rising some 2000 metres into the air.
   Foil balloons can conduct electricity and cause power outages or fires if they come into contact with power lines.
   
   
3. Litter:
   
   Wherever the depleted lanterns or balloons may fall, they inevitably litter the area in question.
   
   
4. Air Safety:
   
   Sky Lanterns can cause an air safety risk associated with possible "ingestion" of parts into aircraft engines.
   
   Balloons can also pose a hazard to aircraft if they are released in or near flight paths.

What can you do?

• Don’t release sky lanterns or balloons yourself.
• Discourage other individuals and organisations from using sky lanterns and  balloons
• Raise awareness of the issues.
• Consider alternatives to releasing sky lanterns and balloons as set out below.
• Pick up any lantern or balloon debris that you come across.

Alternatives:

There are many alternatives to using sky lanterns or releasing balloons at events. These include:-

• Kites - ask guests to bring a kite, or even better, make their own small, simple ones out of recycled paper and sticks. Guests can write a special message on  them. Imagine a sky filled with a hundred dancing kites, which can be taken home as a keepsake.
• Balloons on strings - attached to long strings and fixed to a marquee and given to children when they leave.
• Indoor balloons - release a net of balloons indoors; balloon sculptures, relays or popping can be popular.
• Lanterns hung on trees - light up pathways with solar or battery-powered lanterns.
• Communal planting of a tree or shrub - provides a long-term contribution to an area.
• Bubbles - especially effective when illuminated with coloured lights.
• Glow sticks - always very popular with children!