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The Kent fire service (KFRS) has spoken out against a campaign to thank the NHS using sky lanterns.
The paper balloons, which are used across the world to mark special occasions and as tributes, pose a fire risk as well as dangers to wildlife though ingestion or entanglement.
Because of those dangers, the lanterns have been banned by several councils across the county.
Maidstone, Dover, Folkestone & Hythe, Canterbury, Tonbridge & Malling, Swale and Thanet councils have all outlawed the flammable tributes, while Kent County Council says it "cannot condone" their use.
However, an online campaign to use sky lanterns as a tribute to the NHS amid the coronavirus pandemic has forced the fire department to respond, imploring residents to think of alternative ways to thank the health service.
The KFRS twitter account stated: "It’s wonderful to show your support for NHS workers, but we’re discouraging people from setting off lanterns, as they can cause large-scale fires.
"Instead we ask that you look for alternative ways to show your appreciation such as #clapforcarers"
They also shared a statement by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) that described the campaign, run by lantern company Night Sky Lanterns, as "misguided".
NFCC chairman Roy Wilsher said: “While I fully understand people wanting to show their support to the NHS, I would encourage people to find a different way to do this.
“We do not advocate the use of sky lanterns and we do not believe they should be used under any circumstances.
“All emergency services are currently under unprecedented pressure due to Covid-19, and I am concerned this type of activity could not only put additional pressure on the fire service, but further strain on the NHS.
“If a sky lantern causes a fire, it could see firefighters spending valuable time dealing with what could be a complex and large-scale incident; time which could be spent supporting vulnerable people in the community, as part of the fire services response to Covid-19.”
