#ChineseLanterns - With Halloween celebrations kicking off this evening as soon as the sun goes down, Bundoran RNLI has a timely reminder for anyone considering lighting Chinese lanterns.

A simple courtesy call to the Irish Coast Guard to let them know in advance of any release of lighted lanterns into the sky will hopefully avoid any false alarm launched by coastguard and lifeboat rescue teams who could easily mistake the lights for distress flares.

The Coast Guard has appealed the public to notify them before lighting and releasing Chinese lanterns.

The lanterns have been a regular sight in the night sky since the beginning of the year, but can resemble emergency flares when they drift out to sea.

Marine rescue services maintain that they have been responsible for an increasing number of false callouts. At least six RNLI boats around the country have been launched as a result of mistakenly identified Chinese lanterns.

Lives could be lost if rescue services are distracted by such false alarms, urged Mike Swan, operations manager of RNLI Galway Lifeboat.

RTÉ News has more on the story HERE.