What To Do If You Get Your Hand Stuck In A Pringles Can
Football fans watching the 2022 Super Bowl may not have expected to develop a new phobia, but that's precisely what might have happened to some viewers who saw Pringles' relatable Super Bowl commercial. Available on YouTube, the ad addresses an apparently common hazard for those who enjoy a can of Pringles potato crisps from time to time: getting your hand stuck in the can while reaching for the snack. In its commercial, Pringles lays out in plain terms just what would happen if the can never came off: A young man at a party gets his hand trapped in the chips container, and instead of trying to remove it, he lives out the rest of his days with a Pringles can as an appendage, even when lying in his casket.
According to a press release from the brand, 43% of customers have admitted to getting their hand stuck in a Pringles can. If this is such a common occurrence, then why does Pringles place its chips in a can, anyway? The brand apparently does this to protect the crisps' delicate shape, so it doesn't sound like the practice will change anytime soon. If you're going to continue to eat Pringles, you may want to be aware of some potential ways to pry your hand out of the can.
How to safely remove your hand from a Pringles can
According to University of Michigan Health's general advice for a "trapped finger, toe, or limb," you shouldn't try to force your hand out of the cylindrical container. Instead, try to relax, and see if that helps you slide it out. If not, you could try icing the area to reduce swelling (making your hand smaller and easier to remove) or drizzling it with soapy water or cooking oil (which can act as a lubricant to help you slip your hand out). Another tip is to turn the can as you pull it, instead of trying to yank it straight off. Worst-case scenario, if none of these things work, you should head to the doctor's office for professional help.
However, as the saying goes, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." To avoid getting you hand stuck in a Pringles can at all, you can try a couple of things. You could tip the chips out of the can and onto a plate instead of reaching inside, or try using some small tongs, a fork, or another utensil to scoop the chips out of the can. Alternatively, you could even invest in a specialty product, like a "Pringles puller" from Etsy. Take these tips to heart, and you'll avoid ending up like the guy in the Pringles Super Bowl ad.