SKY LANTERN HAZARDS

History Sky lanterns, also known as Kongming lanterns, have been used for centuries in various countries. First introduced by Zhuge Liang (also known as Kongming), who was surrounded by troops and trapped during war, created a type of hot air balloon using a rice paper bag, bamboo, and a candle. He attached a note, which asked for help from nearby friendly allies. This became widely used for military signaling by transporting messages by the direction of the wind that were carried back and forth notifying of impending danger. Since Liang’s note on the lantern was found, he ultimately won his freedom, transporting messages through the wind, and became a widely used technique to notify allies of impeding anger. According to Britannica.com, there are also Lantern Festivals, which may originate as far back as the Han dynasty (206 BCE to 220 CE), when Buddhist monks would light lanterns on the 15th day of the lunar year in honor of the Buddha. The rite was later adopted by the general population and spread throughout China and other parts of Asia. A legend concerning the festival’s origin tells the tale of the Jade Emperor (You Di), who became angered at a town for killing his goose. He planned to destroy the town with fire, but he was thwarted by a fairy who advised the people to light lanterns across the town on the appointed day of destruction. The emperor, fooled by all the light, assumed the town was already engulfed in flames. The town was spared, and in gratitude the people continued to commemorate the event annually by carrying colorful lanterns throughout the town. Now, the Lantern Festival, also called Yuan Xiao Festival, is a holiday celebrated in China and other Asian countries that honors deceased ancestors on the 15th day of the first month (Yuan) of the lunar calendar. The Lantern Festival aims to promote reconciliation, peace, and forgiveness. The holiday marks the first full moon of the new lunar year and the end of the Chinese New Year. During the festival, houses are festooned with colorful lanterns, often with riddles written on them; if the riddle is answered correctly, the solver earns a small gift. Festival celebrations also include lion and dragon dances, parades, and fireworks. SKY LANTERN Small glutinous rice balls filled with fruits and nuts, called yuanxiao or tangyuan, are eaten during the festival. The round HAZARDS shape of the balls symbolizes wholeness and unity within the family. As far as I can remember, I have seen sky lanterns being set off for holidays, festivals, weddings, or even memorials. Just this past Independence Day, we watched the fireworks show our town provides, while accompanied by so many lanterns filling the night sky. There is no doubt in my mind that these are more eco-friendly and beautiful than balloons, but some are hazardous in so many ways. 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.

Although most sky lanterns are created to be flame-resistant, that does not prevent them from landing and being harmful to wildlife, trees, vegetation, or dwellings-especially if the conditions are dry. At wildfiretoday.com, they have listed many instances where sky lanterns use has not ended well. For example: On April 13, 2022, a fire at Leominster High School in Massachusetts was caused by a sky lantern, according to the state fire marshal. Firefighters were called to the school just after 10 p.m. In January 2020, in Alpine, California, a family woke up to panicked horses and a remnants of burned sky lantern. In May 2015, dozens of sky lanterns were released from the Carolina Speedway in Gastonia, North Carolina. A nearby cell phone tower caught on fire when the wind shifted, pushing several burning lanterns into

the tower. It took 20 firefighters, nearly 6,000 gallons of water, and help from a neighboring department to finally get the fire out.

In November 2015, a fire was reported just after midnight on New Year’s Eve, completely destroying two houses and damaging others. In July 2014, Smethwick Fire: Massive Blaze at a Recycling Plant, is believed to have been started by a single Chinese lantern.

EcoFriendly and Safe ways to enjoy

In July 2013, a Selah man started a 500-acre wildfire by launching a floating lantern. The bag heated by a candle drifted into a hillside and started a brush fire that took 100 firefighters to extinguish. Here are a few of our favorite ways to celebrate that won’t endanger animals or local communities.

In August 2012, a family was involved in a vehicle crash likely caused by a fallen sky lantern. The driver hit the brakes, swerved, went off the road, and crashed into a tree. In July 2011, sky lanterns started a fire that burned 800 acres in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. In September 2011, A farmer called for Chinese sky lanterns to be banned after three of his Guernsey cows suffered agonizing deaths from eating wire from them.

In November 2011, an Owl was found dead apparently after becoming tangled up in a Chinese lantern at a Gloucestershire farm. In November 2010, a mother called for Chinese lanterns to be banned after son, age 3, was burned by molten wax on bonfire night. The list goes on and somehow we don’t usually hear about what we thought was a beautiful luminary that lit up the night sky.

Flying Wish Paper

Write your wishes on this special paper, light it on fire and watch

it fly up and burn away. Enjoy the floating light effect of a wish lantern without the fire hazard.

Kites

Choose a color, style, or shape to fit any event theme. Your can even create your own kites.

Plant a tree or flowers

Planting a tree creates a symbolic, long-lasting and ecofriendly memorial that honors your loved one and the earth. You can also write a message on seed paper that will burst into colorful

Painted stones

If you don’t have space to plant something, place a painted rock or stone somewhere meaningful. Support a local artist or paint your own.

Bubbles! Bubbles are cheaper than balloons, better for the environment, and just as fun and floaty. You can even “go big” with giant bubbles.

Biodegradable “confetti”

Instead of plastic confetti, throw something natural like birdseed, flower petals or dried autumn leaves.

Although we use these beautiful luminaries that can have so much meaning to us, we need to think of the hazardous ways these can have an effect on others.

There are several states that have banned sky lanterns, but so many continue to use them, and are being sold all throughout the country.