I have written this to explain how you can make you wick last longer. Following these guides can improve wick life dramatically. This means saving you time and money.
Put your fire out when it is a couple of inches above the wick
Once all the liquid fuel is gone the fire will move onto burning the wick. Even KEVLAR ® and other man made fibers will burn or smolder degrading the fibers once the liquid fuel is gone.
How to extinguish your equipment
Use of a slightly damp towel to cover and extinguish the wick is recommended. Being careful when smothering anything that is on fire, pushing the flame out in a direction away from people and / or other combustibles. In an emergency use a suitable CLASS-B fire extinguisher. Aim extinguisher at fire source and not the top of the flame.
Attach the wick to poi or staff as tight as possible
The more the wick flexes the more likely that the fibers will break. Wrapping the wick tightly on a tube core will limit movement. Cathedral or Accordian fire heads are more likely to degrade faster from flexing of the edge wick fibers however wick can be stiffened using PVA (white school glue).
Practicing with your equipment unlit
To reduce impact damage to fire heads when Practicing unlit you can wrap them in tin foil and tie an old sock over them. This will also soften the impact and stop fuel residue getting on your clean clothes. You can also sew streamers onto the outside of the sock for extra visual effect.