Police advise on difference between flares and Chinese Lanterns

Police are continuing to receive calls from the Public, reporting flare sightings. The sightings often turn out to be Chinese Lanterns and not distress flares. Valuable resources are often deployed to investigate the sightings.

While Police do not want to deter callers for fear of missing a genuine call for assistance, they wish to advise on the difference between the two types. Distress flares glow a very intense red colour and slowly decend over 40-60 seconds. The Chinese Laterns stay in the air for several minutes, display an orange glow, will not be quite as bright as distress flares, and drop fairly rapidly.