People in Southport are being urged not to use sky lanterns as a way of showing support for the NHS.
The Night Sky Lanterns company is currently inviting people to support the NHS by buying Union Jack sky lanterns during the coronavirus outbreak, with proceeds going to support the health service through buying PPE equipment.
But the adverts have been met by a fierce response from members of the public, farmers and emergency services workers, who are extremely concerned.
A Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service spokesman said: “Please DO NOT use sky lanterns. They cause wildfires, affect wildlife & damage crops.
“We have already seen a rise in grass fires during the dry weather – don’t make this worse.
“This puts added pressure on the fire service – we cannot be in two places at once.
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“There are safer ways to show your support and appreciation to our amazing NHS.
“Help us to help you.”
Southport Dukes Ward councillor Tony Dawson said: “Please listen to the common sense message by Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service.”
Their calls were echoed by NFU Mutual, which is calling for planned releases of sky lanterns to be abandoned.
The leading rural insurer is concerned that plans for a mass release of sky lanterns ‘in support of the NHS’ could start grassland or property fires in current dry conditions.
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It is also warning the public that debris from burnt-out lanterns can kill grazing sheep and cattle.
Rebecca Davidson, Rural Affairs Specialist at NFU Mutual said: “We owe the NHS a huge debt of gratitude and understand people want to show their support. We are urging the public to show their support in other ways as none of us wants to put additional pressure on emergency services.
“Sky lanterns present a fire risk in both urban and rural areas. Debris from burnt out lanterns can also injure and even kill grazing farm animals if they eat it.
“The countryside is extremely dry after three weeks without rainfall in many areas and sky lanterns released now could start grassland and moorland fires as well as putting homes and commercial premises at risk.
“Fires caused by sky lanterns are entirely preventable, and at a time when fire service crews are needed as an essential part of the coronavirus emergency response – so we are urging the public not to buy or use sky lanterns but to continue showing their support for the NHS in other ways.”
NFU Mutual claims statistics reveal the cost of farm fires totalled £46.4million in 2018.
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