How to tell if a glow stick has been used

Glows sticks are great for parties, dances, hiking, signaling the city bus, camping or walking the dog at night.

Glow sticks are readily available at outdoor stores, dollar stores and online.

But how do you know if a glow stick has be used or accidentally activated?

Other than the obvious, which is bending the stick, generally you can tell visually.

Can you tell which glow stick has been used?  If you chose the bottom one, you would be correct.

Some telltale signs that a stick has been used include:

The tube is bent.  As you have to bend the tube to activate it, this is usually the most obvious sign.  A straight stick is likely unused.  It's pretty rare for a stick to be activated accidentally but if you store it in a bag without any protection to keep it straight, the odds of it bending are greater.  

The liquid is flows faster and has more air bubbles.  The liquid in new tubes should flow like honey with fewer air bubbles.  Also, in a used tube, the color liquid should flow to both ends freely.  In a new tube, there will be a clear barrier that forms when flipped.  

If you hold the tube up to a light source, a used tube will have cracks inside.  A new tube should appear clear.  

Why would I even provide this guide?  

Why did you search for this?

Ah haha!

But seriously, I sell glow sticks at conventions so this is good information to know so I don't sell bad product.  

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