Cattle and other animals can eat the small wires that are left behind.
A Tipperary landowner has appealed to the public not to release sky lanterns, often known as Chinese lanterns, because of the dangers they pose to livestock, crops and property.
Sky lanterns are increasingly being used at social occasions such as weddings and birthday parties.
They are typically constructed from oiled rice paper on a bamboo frame and contain a small candle or fuel cell composed of a waxy flammable material.
Airborne
When lit, the flame heats the air inside the lantern, thus lowering its density, causing the lantern to rise into the air.