The Member of Parliament for Mid Sussex, Mims Davies, has warned about the threat sky lanterns pose during lockdown.
Sky lanterns can cause fires, endanger livestock, spread litter across the countryside and cause more work for our hard pressed emergency services. A sky lantern organisation recently announced their intention to release sky lanterns in honours of NHS staff every Sunday night. The CLA and other organisations have encouraged them not to do this due to the fire risk it poses to animals, crops, businesses and the countryside.
Commenting, the Member of Parliament for Mid Sussex, Mims Davies said:
“Paying tribute to our hard working NHS staff at this time of national crisis is absolutely the right thing to do. I encourage all those who want to pay tribute to find ways to do so which do not put animals and businesses at risk instead of releasing sky lanterns.
“Sky lanterns are incredibly dangerous. They can cause wildfires and serious damage to farms, livestock and the environment. Many rural businesses are already seeing reduced trade at the moment and the additional damage which a sky lantern could potentially do would be devastating. There are far better ways to support our NHS and public services.”
Ends.
Notes to Editors:
- For more information and to see the CLA’s campaign click here.