A CALL is being made for people to refrain from a popular way of showing their support for the NHS during the Covid-19 crisis.

It is not because of a wish not to express appreciation to NHS staff but because of the risk of fire that is made even worse by the dry conditions so far this spring.

NFU Mutual is calling for planned releases of sky lanterns to be abandoned.

The insurer is concerned that plans for a mass release of sky lanterns ‘in support of the NHS’ could start grassland or property fires in current dry conditions.

It is also warning the public that debris from burnt-out lanterns can kill grazing sheep and cattle.

“We owe the NHS a huge debt of gratitude and understand people want to show their support. We are urging the public to show their support in other ways as none of us wants to put additional pressure on emergency services,” said Rebecca Davidson, rural affairs specialist at NFU Mutual.

“Sky lanterns present a fire risk in both urban and rural areas. Debris from burnt out lanterns can also injure and even kill grazing farm animals if they eat it.

“The countryside is extremely dry after three weeks without rainfall in many areas and sky lanterns released now could start grassland and moorland fires as well as putting homes and commercial premises at risk.

“Fires caused by sky lanterns are entirely preventable, and at a time when fire service crews are needed as an essential part of the coronavirus emergency response - so we are urging the public not to buy or use sky lanterns but to continue showing their support for the NHS in other ways.”

As well as providing a range of insurance services, NFU Mutual says that it is committed to making farming safer, tackling rural poverty, supporting rural initiatives across the UK and helping to look after the environment.

People are urged to make sure that they show their support for the NHS but in ways that do not make things worse.