Fire Prevention – Sky Lanterns

Sky Lanterns Prohibited

Sky lanterns, also known as “kongming” lanterns, wish lanterns, sky candles or fire balloons. Sky lanterns consist of a paper or fabric balloon that traps heated air produced by an open flame device, usually a candle. The open flame device often is connected to the balloon by a wire frame.

Depending on wind direction and speed, these devices have the potential to travel over a mile from where they are released. A flaming lantern can drop onto a rooftop, field, trees or power lines before the flame is fully extinguished. A destructive fire can result when a flaming lantern reaches the ground, especially during dry conditions.

Florida Statute

The use of sky lanterns is prohibited as follows:

Florida Statute 791FSS 791.02 (1) – Except as hereinafter provided it is unlawful for any person, firm, co partnership, or corporation to offer for sale, expose for sale, sell at retail, or use or explode any fireworks. FSS 791.01 (4)(a)

Definition

“Fireworks” means and includes any combustible or explosive composition or substance or combination of substances or, except as hereinafter provided, any article prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration, or detonation. The term includes blank cartridges and toy cannons in which explosives are used, the type of balloons which require fire underneath to propel them, firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, roman candles, dago bombs, and any fireworks containing any explosives or flammable compound or any tablets or other device containing any explosive substance.

Florida Fire Prevention Code

Florida Fire Prevention Code NFPA 1: 10.11.2 (2012ed) The AHJ shall have the authority to prohibit any or all open flames, candles, and open, recreational, and cooking fires or other sources of ignition, or establish special regulations on the use of any form of fire or smoking material where circumstances make such conditions hazardous.