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	Fire Starting Kit

See the Film Canister Chapter for more instructions, hints, tips, and ideas.

I used a small prescription bottle for this project.

Put a little Vaseline on the cotton balls/dryer lint and place them in the zip lock bag and seal it tight. Don't use too much Vaseline or it will be hard to light. Place all articles into the container.

Attach a PVC ring.

You might want to use a red container, wrap red tape around the container, or put some clipart or a drawing on the outside so that you remember it is your fire starting kit.

Safety Rules
• Learn and abide by all local rules regarding fires.
• Get an adult to supervise.
• Use an existing fire ring if available.
• Make sure there aren't any dry grasses or leaves within ten feet of the fire. Don't forget to look above where the fire will be built to avoid branches and leaves.
• Don't build a fire in very windy or dry conditions.
• Have water and dirt/shovels close by to control a fire should it get out of hand.

Always observe all safety rules before starting a fire.

To make a fire, first gather enough wood of various sizes to start the fire and keep it going for a while. Make sure the wood is as dry as possible.

To start the fire, fluff up the cotton/dryer lint and place it on a dry surface. Put the striker very close to or on the cotton ball/dryer lint. Support the hand that is holding the striker part on your shoe or a rock to keep it from moving. Put the magnesium bar on the bottom of the striker. Hold both firmly and pull the magnesium towards you. You should get a shower of sparks. If you don't get a lot of sparks, push the bar and striker together harder as you pull the magnesium bar under the striker. You can also try changing the angle between the magnesium bar and striker. Almost any angle will work, so find one that is comfortable for you. The cotton/dryer lint should catch with a couple of sparks.

As soon as the cotton/dryer lint starts burning, put some of the smallest twigs on it - not too much that you smother the fire. Slowly add more sticks and larger sticks to increase the size of the fire.