Sky Lanterns Prohibited in Florida

Sky lanterns pose a serious fire safety hazard and are prohibited by Florida Statute and the Florida Fire Prevention Code.

Sky lanterns pose a serious fire safety hazard and are prohibited by Florida Statute and the Florida Fire Prevention Code.

Sky lanterns consist of a paper or fabric balloon that traps heated air produced by an open-flame device, usually a candle or wax fuel cell, that is connected to the balloon by bamboo or wireframe.

Once lit and airborne, the lantern can travel over a mile in distance. Wind can affect the sky lantern, blowing the sides, forcing the hot air out, and sending the flaming lantern back to the ground. 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 lands on a rooftop or the ground.

Sky lanterns are prohibited and should not be used under any circumstances.

FFPC 1:10.10.9.3 The use of unmanned, free-floating sky lanterns and similar devices utilizing an open flame shall be prohibited.

Florida State Statute 791
791.02 Sale of fireworks regulated; rules and regulations.—
(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;

791.01 Definitions (4)(a) “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 that 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.