Floating lanterns how do they work

They can reach up to 1,m 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. The danger to the environment and fire risk led Glastonbury festival organisers to ban Chinese lanterns. In , 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 Farmers' groups and animal charities have long pushed for the lanterns to be withdrawn from sale, arguing that animals can eat parts after they have landed.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 , 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".

False alarms at sea for both the Coastguard and RNLI, after lanterns were mistaken for flares, led to more calls for a ban. In , the RNLI said it saw a significant increase in the number of lifeboat callouts caused by lanterns. Please remember, the use of sky lanterns in your area must be approved by state and local law. The user in the respective state and county is responsible for following all state and local laws and regulations. For safety, they should always be released outdoors in a clear and wide open space that is free from overhead obstructions.

These obstructions include power lines, trees, buildings, and other structures. To maximize visibility and overall enjoyment, it is recommended to launch on a clear night. Always keep them away from other combustible materials and liquids. Optimal weather conditions for launching your sky lanterns include wind speeds of less than 5mph. It is advised to release them on a clear, still night.

Do not launch sky lanterns when wind speeds are above 5mph, as the sky lantern may fly off course into an unpredictable area. Do not use sky lanterns when it is raining. The rain will make the sky lantern very heavy, affecting the way it will fly. Heavy raining will eventually tear through the biodegradable material , causing the sky lantern to extinguish and fall prematurely to earth.

To achieve the best results, decorate your sky lantern with a felt-tip marker or pen on a hard, flat, surface prior to assembly. Use as little pressure as possible when writing or decorating to ensure that the paper is not damaged or torn. In order to protect yourself and third parties, when using the Sky Lanterns you must follow these safety instructions and the operating instructions.

Please exercise diligence by using common sense when handling flammable components. Only launch Lanterns if the wind is below 7 miles per hour. If there is light wind, determine its direction. Ensure that when launched, the Sky Lanterns do not represent a danger by flying into or over dry forests, buildings, roads, airports or electricity pylons.

If you intend to organise a mass Sky Lantern launch we recommended that you inform the relevant local authorities. Always avoid possible fire hazards. Do not use during prolonged periods of dry weather.

Please dispose of the packaging materials carefully and responsibly. The Fuel Cell should be left to burn until the Sky Lantern has filled sufficiently with hot air.

When it is ready to fly, it will want to pull out of your hands seconds. In most cases, no, but it would be advisable to contact your local authorities including the coast guard, for advice on possible regulations. Do not use near main roads or in area where Sky Lanterns could be misinterpreted as a distress signal. Important: The use of Sky Lanterns abroad must be approved by the local authorities of the country in question. The user in the respective country is responsible for following the set safety guidelines and regulations.

We recommend using Sky Lanterns in a clear open space free from obstructions, i. For maximum visibility, a clear sky is preferable. Keep away from sites with flammable gases and liquids. Best Conditions, for launching: Still weather conditions with little wind. A maximum wind force of 2 on the Beaufort scale 4 — 7 miles per hour must not be exceeded at the time of launching the lanterns, due to the risk of the lantern flying off course.