http://balloonsblow.org/flaming-litter/
An environmental and health non-government
organization today urged the local government and fire authorities to issue a
stern warning against the use of sky lanterns during the holidays.
organization today urged the local government and fire authorities to issue a
stern warning against the use of sky lanterns during the holidays.
The EcoWaste Coalition pressed Department of Interior and Local Government
(DILG) Secretary Ismael Sueno and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Officer in
Charge CSupt. Bobby Baruelo to make the necessary warning to protect lives and
properties against fires caused by wayward sky lanterns.
(DILG) Secretary Ismael Sueno and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Officer in
Charge CSupt. Bobby Baruelo to make the necessary warning to protect lives and
properties against fires caused by wayward sky lanterns.
The requested fire hazard warning will be in line with Section 10.5.4.3 on the
“prohibition on open burning” under the Fire Code of the Philippines, the group
said.
“prohibition on open burning” under the Fire Code of the Philippines, the group
said.
The Fire Code prohibits “burning using any materials in any quantities which
shall cause the emission of toxic and poisonous fumes,” as well as “depositing
hot ashes or cinders, or smoldering coals, or greasy or oily substances liable
to spontaneous ignition, into any combustible receptacle.”
shall cause the emission of toxic and poisonous fumes,” as well as “depositing
hot ashes or cinders, or smoldering coals, or greasy or oily substances liable
to spontaneous ignition, into any combustible receptacle.”
“Sky lanterns can get out of control and fall on combustible surface and cause
a fire that can damage properties and even claim innocent lives,” said Thony
Dizon, Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition’s Project Protect.
a fire that can damage properties and even claim innocent lives,” said Thony
Dizon, Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition’s Project Protect.
Dizon recalled that a family of seven people died in Barangay Bungad, Quezon
City on December 25, 2012 due to a fire reportedly caused by a sky lantern.
City on December 25, 2012 due to a fire reportedly caused by a sky lantern.
The EcoWaste Coalition is also concerned that sky lanterns being sold by some
retail outlets or being offered online for P20 for 100 pieces and up may
contain asbestos, a hazardous material.
retail outlets or being offered online for P20 for 100 pieces and up may
contain asbestos, a hazardous material.
The group recalled that between 2011-2013 the governments of France, Ireland
and United Kingdom withdrew from the market some sky lanterns because “the
string in the product contains chrysotile asbestos.”
and United Kingdom withdrew from the market some sky lanterns because “the
string in the product contains chrysotile asbestos.”
According to an advisory by the French government in 2013, “the product poses a
risk of burns and fire because the paper of the lantern is not fireproof.
Moreover, it poses a chemical risk because the string in the product contains
asbestos fibers.”
risk of burns and fire because the paper of the lantern is not fireproof.
Moreover, it poses a chemical risk because the string in the product contains
asbestos fibers.”
“It’s hard to say if the sky lanterns sold online or in
local retail stores are asbestos-free. Consumers would not be able to
know if the string of the sky lantern has asbestos or not as this can only be
detected through specific laboratory tests,” Dizon said.
local retail stores are asbestos-free. Consumers would not be able to
know if the string of the sky lantern has asbestos or not as this can only be
detected through specific laboratory tests,” Dizon said.
“As a precaution against fire as well as potential asbestos exposure, we appeal
to the public not to lit sky lanterns during the holidays for safety sake,” he
added.
to the public not to lit sky lanterns during the holidays for safety sake,” he
added.
-end-
Reference:
https://www.scribd.com/doc/20471525/Fire-Code-of-the-Philippines-2008