SCOTLAND’S farmers and crofters are calling on the Scottish public to have a happy – but lantern-free and considerate – bonfire night this November 5.
The National Farmers’ Union of Scotland (NFUS) is urging ‘dangerous’ sky lanterns, sometimes called Chinese lanterns, to be banned for both personal use and as part of any display. It also urges those setting off fireworks to give some consideration to any livestock that may be in fields or sheds nearby.
NFUS argues the lanterns, which are constructed from paper with a wire or wooden frame and contain a lighted candle, are a fire risk and a danger to animals, and pose a fire hazard to stacks of hay and straw, woodland and farm buildings. If they land within crops grown to feed livestock, the frames risk being ingested, causing harm to animals.