A firework intended to create a bright light, red in colour as a sign of distress, or white to indicate ‘I am here- please don’t run me down’. White flares as used in small boats are always hand-held; red flares may be, but they may also be projected skyward by rocket, and may descend by parachute. Star shells, and hand-held fireworks which look like red Roman Candles also come under the general term of ‘flares’, though they may have more proper and precise names of their own.