I've had people do that too. What I don't understand is, once they see it isn't going to stand up on its own, why didn't they extinguish the flame immediately and transfer it into a container. That's what I would have done if I wasn't aware a votive wasn't a standalone candle. Bernadette, you should test them in different ways to see how things can go wrong, so that if someone has a problem, you'll know what they're talking about.