Hot air balloons fly over the center of the world, Quito. /
Photo: Jose Jacome

Giant balloons are hot air; designed as stubborn blow-up dolls; those in the form of Chinese lanterns etc. must be controlled in their use, manufacture, sale, import.

Rafael A. Sampedro Coba

When using these devices, it must be prescribed in which places they can only be lifted and their purpose.

One would say that they are in fashion to brighten up festivals, but fashion has to be something functional, if not uncomfortable. Balloons must be used in a qualified open space where there are no cables, antennas, otherwise they are not suitable. There are other tastes that are simpler and less complicated, and that give more benefits, for example, regatta presentations that need to be promoted and enjoyed more than hot air balloons. I mean from Guayaquil. (OR)

elizabeth demarshal

Flying balloons and lanterns may look ‘nice’, but there are also negative events. On December 31, 2018, the public was frightened by the ‘wish balloon’.

People imitated China in order to ask their gods for money, success, work…; they launched balloons or paper lanterns with a lighted candle that became famous trends but caused fear in Guayaquil. In the citadel of Samanes, a balloon or lamp fell into a house, burning the roof; another fell in the courtyard of the house in the citadel of Martha de Roldós where there were people; the other got tangled up in some cables in the city center. Balloons are dangerous – like fireworks – which are used to celebrate places, cities, provinces, weddings, birthdays, baptisms, anniversaries, sports, cultural, musical events, parades, political campaigns, New Year’s Eve, carnivals, etc. I mean from Guayaquil. (OR)

Benjamin R. Borja

Large balloons with baskets for guiding tourists for a walk or carrying advertising signs; those in the form of oval or round Chinese lanterns; those in the form of inflatable dolls used in council-organised Christmas parades; they are powered by gas, hot air, fire, they can touch electric lighting cables, antennas, obelisks, buildings…; powered by an air current they can speed over cities, people, etc.; burn, cause fires, explosions. I would not recommend using balloons.

In the middle of the world at a hot air balloon festival two months ago, one of those devices became entangled in high-voltage cables in Quito. I mean from Guayaquil. (OR)

Jose Ortoneda Sanchez

A procedure and control should be established for the launch of hot air balloons in the cities and towns of the country, so that dangerous situations do not occur for both the residents and the houses of each sector. If things are done properly, everything will go well and unfortunate events will be avoided in all life’s actions. I give my opinion from Bahía de Caráquez. (OR)

Maria Eugenia Ramirez

Replace the use of those devices that will one day fall, break, etc. with other less risky activities. I mean from Quito. (OR)