Phil Garrigan, Chief Fire Officer of Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service got in touch with The Outdoor Guide to express his concern about sky lanterns. At the time, Phil was worried about their use as a way of showing support to the NHS, particularly when the emergency services are heavily involved in the wider protection of our communities.

We were delighted to lend our support with a blunt message from Julia Bradbury about flaming sky lanterns being not only a fire hazard but also creating litter, polluting the countryside and injuring animals. There are many ways of expressing our support for the NHS, key workers and carers, not least the whole country coming together on Thursday evenings to Clap for Carers.

Along with the National Fire Chiefs Council, National Farmers’ Union, RSPCA and the Government, we all think sky lanterns are a bad idea – at any time, anywhere and for whatever cause. #EndSkyLitter

Sky lanterns are a bad idea!