[header] How to check water temperature without a thermometer [title] Hold your hand near the water. [step] If you want to form a very rough idea of whether water is cold, lukewarm, or hot, first hold your hand above the water. If you feel heat radiate off of the water, it is hot and may burn you. 
If you feel no heat, the water will either be room-temperature or cold. [substeps] Do not stick your hand directly into water-either in a kitchen or in nature-without first holding your hand above it to gauge the temperature.