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Have you ever seen someone put out a candle with their fingers? Have you ever wanted to try it without burning your hands? Here is a way to do it safely.
Steps
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Light your candle. It should be at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) high and freestanding. Make sure you can pull your hand away quickly.
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Lick your fingers. This is an important part of the process. Do not skip it! Licking your fingers adds a layer of water that protects your skin from getting burnedAdvertisement
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Place your hand about 1 inch (2.5 cm) away from the flame/wick.[1]
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Quickly grab the wick and then let go. This should put out your flame. If it does not, blow out your candle, shorten your wick and try again.[2]
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Practice. Eventually with practice you can do this without licking your fingers, but you must master the timing first. Be warned![3]
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Community Q&A
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QuestionCan you use these steps for any type of candle?Community AnswerYes, you can. It works on matches, too.
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QuestionWill it burn my hands?Community AnswerIf you do it wrong, yes, it will, but as long as you are careful nothing will happen.
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QuestionWhat happens if my fingers get burnt when putting a candle out with my fingers?Community AnswerThen your fingers are burnt. Simply blow out the candle if it’s not out already and go put some aloe on your fingers to soothe the pain.
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Tips
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Sometimes, the wick stays longer as the wax melts. You can use a long scissor to cut the wick small (even as it is burning), and then put it out with your fingers.Thanks
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Don't risk starting a fire doing this. Naked flames are inherently dangerous.Thanks
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Warnings
- Soot from the wick will come off on your fingers. Wash it off and don't touch your face or clothing, because you'll leave black marks.Thanks
- If you hold the wick too long, your fingers could get burned.Thanks
- Don't do it without liquid on your fingers.Thanks
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References
About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 295,224 times.
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