I use the finger covers. I have a small basket on my ironing board full of them. They seem to run away with my seam rippers. I buy them at Walmart, I think four or five come in a package.

If it is a difficult area, I pin them open on my ironing board, then iron. Need to be sure the pins are glass and not plastic, otherwise they may melt.

How come all you ladies don't have nails? :D

I have a big package of wooden skewers that come in handy for this and lots of other uses! If too long, I just cut in half and smooth with an emery board.

I finger press the first few inches to open the seam and then I use the point of my iron.

Some of us have very weak nails - some of us chew our nails -

I keep my nails semi short having babies around the house a lot these last few years. Long fingernails drove me nuts, always in my way and took up too much time for upkeep. Had to have nice nails for work when I did hands on presentations but not any more!

I use a Strip Stick: http://www.thestripstick.com/ . Also, I don't iron with steam.

Me too. I don't like burned fingers either.

This is what I was going to suggest. I use it frequently