While it’s (understandably) easy to think of kite-flying as a harmless fun activity, there exist dangers that are often overlooked and not apparent to someone beginning to fly kites. If you’re not careful, you could end up hurting not only yourself, but innocent bystanders. A general rule of thumb is to fly your kite in an open area, such as a field or on the beach shore. Make sure that the place you choose is without obstacles so you have room for maneuvering your kite. If you follow this rule, you’ll be in good shape most of the time. Here are some specifics on what times and places are inappropriate for kite flying.
- Near power lines: If your kite hits or gets entangled in one, you risk being electrocuted. If you’re lucky enough to survive, the kite string could damage the power line and cause a blackout. If your kite gets entangled in a power line, do not try to retrieve it.
- Near major roads or highways: Kites flying overhead can distract drivers causing accidents, especially if it lands in the middle of the road. It is likely you will get carried away in flying your kite and in the process of chasing it down, you might not be aware of oncoming traffic.
- Near houses: The major risk of flying near houses is that you could damage the windows, roofs, gutters or sidings of the house, inconveniencing the owner.
- Near an airport or helicopters: Not only is this illegal in some cases, but it can also endanger pilots because the kite would be encroaching into the vehicle's territory.
- During a storm: If it’s rainy during a storm, the rain will act as a catalyst for disaster. Wet kites can be very dangerous because the kite line essentially acts like a power cord; it easily conducts electricity. In a thunderstorm, the source of electricity is dangerously close.
- Near trees: One of the less dangerous cases, but very inconvenient if your kite gets stuck in a tree. Use your judgment as to whether or not it is worth it to climb the tree, if you so choose, be very careful when you try to retrieve your kite.
Considerations that you have to take about the kite itself include:
- Material of the line: Never use metal line because you could cut your hands or another part of your body, the worst case being your throat.
- Size of the kite: If you are flying a large kite, it would be a bad idea to anchor yourself to it because high wind speeds can cause you to lose control of the kite or drag you along. It's also a good idea to wear gloves so you don't get burned or cut due to the volatility of large kites in the wind.
- Cutting the line: You should only do this in very special cases, such as in a kite fight or when you might be dragged away. Once you cut the line, you lose control of the kite, including where or on whom it will land.
Now you're almost ready, but it's best to check weather conditions first.
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