New Zealand

Commonsense urged with Chinese lanterns

21:05 pm on 15 February 2013

People lighting Chinese lanterns like hot air balloons have been urged by police officers to use common sense.

Emergency services have been sent to investigate various flare sightings, which sometimes turn out to be lanterns.

Constructed like a hot air balloon above a small burner, the lanterns are capable of flying into the sky, with a risk of starting a fire on landing, police say.