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Warning over Chinese Lanterns
PEOPLE are being urged to beware of sparking fires when using Chinese Lanterns during the warm weather.
The call comes from West Sussex County Council Fire and Rescue Service, which has attended blazes involving Chinese Lanterns.
It is also supporting warnings about the lanterns from farmers and coastguards.
Roger Wood, Community Fire Safety Manager, said: "Chinese Lanterns, along with Wish Lanterns, are made of paper, often non-fire retardant, supported by a wire frame with a holder at the bottom for a solid fuel cell.
"We are fortunate the incidents we have attended involving Chinese Lanterns have not been serious and we have been able to deal with them effectively.
"But there is a growing concern over cases where the embers from the fuel cell can continue to glow for several minutes after the flames have gone out and then fall from the lantern as it flies.
"These lanterns have the potential to start a fire even in normal use as well as the possibility that hot, glowing fuel could land on people or animals."
The National Farmers Union has also raised concerns over the lanterns and the potentially serious risk they cause to animals that could eat the wire as well as fire damage to crops and land.
Peter Evans, County Council Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: "We would recommend that anyone using Chinese Lanterns follow the manufacturers instructions and proceed with care and caution at all times.
"We ask that people think carefully when planning to use them about their location."
Another area of concern, which has been highlighted by both the Fire and Rescue Service and Coastguards, follows a series of false alarms where the lanterns had been mistaken for distress flares.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is asking people to let them know in advance if planning to let off any Chinese Lanterns in coastal areas.
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Weather for Horsham
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -7 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: East
