To light a candle with a match, strike the match to create a flame, carefully bring the flame to the candle's wick, and hold it there until the wick catches fire.
Lighting a candle with a match is a classic and simple way to illuminate a room or set a mood. While straightforward, doing so correctly ensures both efficiency and safety.
Steps for Lighting a Candle with a Match
Here’s a breakdown of the process:
- Prepare Your Materials: Ensure you have the candle ready on a stable surface and a matchbook or box nearby.
- Get a Match: Take a single match from its container.
- Strike the Match: Hold the match firmly and strike the head against the striking surface (usually on the side of the box or book) with a quick, deliberate motion away from yourself. This friction will ignite the chemical on the match head, producing a flame.
- Approach the Wick: Bring the lit match carefully towards the candle.
- Hold Correctly: Hold the match with the fire facing upwards and keep your hand under the flames. As flames naturally move upward, this allows plenty of wood for the fire to burn between your hand and the flame during use, providing a margin of safety and preventing accidental burns.
- Light the Wick: Touch the tip of the flame to the candle wick. Hold it there for a few seconds until the wick catches fire and produces its own steady flame.
- Remove the Match: Once the candle is lit, gently remove the match, keeping the flame away from anything flammable.
Safe Match Extinguishing
It's crucial to extinguish the match safely immediately after lighting the candle. The reference provides simple and effective ways to do this:
- Blow it out: Carefully blow on the flame to extinguish it.
- Drop into water: If water is available (e.g., in a non-flammable dish or sink), drop the lit or smoldering match into it.
- Gently shake it out: You can often gently shake a matchstick to extinguish the flame, ensuring it's fully out before discarding.
Always ensure the match is completely extinguished and cool before discarding it to prevent accidental fires.
Extinguishing Methods at a Glance
Here are common ways to put out a lit match:
| Method | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blow it out | Use your breath to extinguish the flame. | Ensure flame is fully out. |
| Drop into water | Place in water or a non-flammable liquid. | Very effective for full extinction. |
| Gently shake out | Quick shakes can put out the flame. | Confirm no embers remain. |
Following these simple steps and safety tips ensures a successful and safe experience when lighting a candle with a match.
