Matches

Being comfortable and confident using matches is an important skill. Giving Scouts the experience of lighting matches in a safe environment allows them to practice striking and holding a lit match, and then putting it out.

After practicing, we had them do a timed exercise to get a match from a box, light it and three candles, and then put it out (keeping the candles lit). They started with the closed matchbox balanced on their head and their hands by their side.

Important messages:
- Matches are safe if used sensibly and appropriately (there is no need to worry)
- You will not burn yourself when you hold a lit match as long as you are careful
- You will burn yourself if you hold onto a match for too long (however this is not such a terrible thing to happen!)
- You need to hold the lit end down to get the match to burn and stay lit
- You can shake the match to put it out
- Blowing the match out can put out the candle you were lighting!
- With a bit of practice you can probably light a few candles with one match without having to put it out.