A Roman Candle War occurs when fireworks users, usually young adults or immature adults, point their roman candles at each other and light the fuse resulting in a projectile firework launching towards the individuals in the battle. Also sometimes called a roman candle battle, the participants--believe it or not--do not intend to hurt each other, sometimes even wearing protective eyewear and other safety gear. Roman candles are fireworks that you can hold in your hand as they eject one or more balls of fire towards the sky, but at Chicago Fireworks we caution you to never point a roman candle at another human being.

What is a Roman Candle?

A Roman Candle is a popular firework made to launch a series of fireworks balls high into the sky in successive order. Roman candles are long tubes you plant firmly in the ground at an angle towards the sky--and away from people. Once you light the wick and take cover, the fire detonates a string of balls or stars that fire out of the long tube one at a time and explode high in the sky. 

Can You Hold Roman Candles?

No, you should not hold roman candles while igniting them. Though many people proclaim the "fun" of shooting off roman candles, like a rocket in your hand, every year there are multiple tragedies that occur involving the loss of a hand, or an eye. The damage from holding roman candle fireworks on ignition is often permanent.

So why do fireworks users start roman candle wars?

One of the reasons many young adults start a roman candle fight is because they think it will be fun. There are several videos online that seemingly glorify the event as a past time or game. In some Chicago neighborhoods, participants celebrate the 4th of July holiday by setting off roman candle fireworks in lieu of firing guns into the air. Though a roman candle war may seem like a better substitute for stray bullets, the damages done because of roman candle battles can be just as deadly. Videos rarely show you the serious damage that can occur because of roman candle battles, but fireworks damages from roman candle wars are tragic. We encourage you to simply search google images for fireworks injuries to get a visual reminder of the permanent damage you can be scarred with if you do not follow safety instructions with your roman candles.