Butane torch lighters can be great for a very wide range of purposes. They are excellent for lighting cigars, cigarettes, and pipes, they are ideal for starting campfires in even the windiest conditions, and they are perfect for getting that barbeque up and running. Many of these lighters even include a feature that is known as a flame lock. This will hold the butane release valve in the open position so that the lighter provides a consistent flame without the need for you to keep the button pressed. But what happens if the lock won’t unlock?

Most lighters are very well crafted, and the odds of a flame lock getting stuck are incredibly low. You can help ensure that the odds are decreased by always keeping the flame setting on your lighter only as high as it needs to be for you to get the results you need. If this feature should get stuck in the open position, however, knowing how to react is absolutely essential, and this means finding the ability to ignore the instinct to drop or throw the lighter when you cannot extinguish the flame.

One thing that you must remember is that while your first instinct will be to drop the device, this is one of the most dangerous things you can do. Ideally, you need to get the device outside quickly, where you can drop it onto a surface made of concrete, dirt, or any other nonflammable material.

The amount of butane in these lighters is incredibly low, which is certainly good in a situation such as this, as it means that there is little risk of explosion or prolonged fire. With that said, however, the amount of butane is still enough to start a big fire if something else ignites when you drop it.

You will want to allow the lighter to extinguish itself, which should take only a couple of minutes. Thankfully, these lighters do not hold a great deal of fluid. Avoid getting too close, but keep the lighter in sight so that you can keep an eye out for fires. Once the lighter is fully extinguished, give it enough time to cool down completely. When it is cool, you will find that it is safe enough to pick up and send to the manufacturer or to safely dispose of.