Americans are experts in the art of disaster preparedness. This is because whoever we are, wherever we live, we are subject to the wrath of Mother Nature. The Atlantic seaboard and the Gulf coast have their hurricanes. California has its earthquakes and the Midwest has its tornadoes. Left without gas and electricity, we need a means to produce fire. This is where a survival firestarter comes in.
Fire starters are readily available commercially at prices to suit every budget. Even the expensive ones are within most preppers' reach. A popular type of fire starter comes in the form of a bracelet that is made up of several feet of parachute cord, which can be used to drag stuff behind you, tie stuff together or use as a clothesline.
Other manufacturers incorporate a fire starter as part of a larger kit, like a sewing kit. One kit includes a carabiner and several feet of tightly-coiled paracord. Note, you will never, ever get that cord wound the same compact way ever again. This particular kit also comes with alcohol wipes, wire, needles and other useful items.
The problem with buying a commercial gadget is that, after factoring in the costs of food, water purification tablets, first aid kits, and so on, prepping can get very expensive very fast. As an alternative to a store-bought fire starter, why not make your own out of dryer lint. Strike a flint over a very small parcel of lint and it will ignite quickly and burn cleanly.
Preparation is simple. Wash towels and put them in the clothes dryer. Clean out the lint trap, which you have to do anyway in order not to have your clothes catch on fire. Get your kids to help. They will learn two skills at the same time, prepping and doing laundry.
Another major advantage to using dryer lint is that it eliminates the need to use a flammable liquid to help you start a fire. This is particularly important if you have small children. It only takes a small lump of lint to get the fire started.
If you are preparing for a natural disaster, you could require as much as two weeks' supply of dryer lint. Make it fun by assigning each family member their own color and see who can make the most dryer lint in that color. Get them to practice forming it into amusing shapes. This will also help the family kill time in the event of a natural disaster.
And there you have it, fun, free survival prep. Not only will you have all the fire you need to cook, keep warm and boil water for washing, you will be sparing the environment the build-up of dryer lint. Happy camping!
Fire starters are readily available commercially at prices to suit every budget. Even the expensive ones are within most preppers' reach. A popular type of fire starter comes in the form of a bracelet that is made up of several feet of parachute cord, which can be used to drag stuff behind you, tie stuff together or use as a clothesline.
Other manufacturers incorporate a fire starter as part of a larger kit, like a sewing kit. One kit includes a carabiner and several feet of tightly-coiled paracord. Note, you will never, ever get that cord wound the same compact way ever again. This particular kit also comes with alcohol wipes, wire, needles and other useful items.
The problem with buying a commercial gadget is that, after factoring in the costs of food, water purification tablets, first aid kits, and so on, prepping can get very expensive very fast. As an alternative to a store-bought fire starter, why not make your own out of dryer lint. Strike a flint over a very small parcel of lint and it will ignite quickly and burn cleanly.
Preparation is simple. Wash towels and put them in the clothes dryer. Clean out the lint trap, which you have to do anyway in order not to have your clothes catch on fire. Get your kids to help. They will learn two skills at the same time, prepping and doing laundry.
Another major advantage to using dryer lint is that it eliminates the need to use a flammable liquid to help you start a fire. This is particularly important if you have small children. It only takes a small lump of lint to get the fire started.
If you are preparing for a natural disaster, you could require as much as two weeks' supply of dryer lint. Make it fun by assigning each family member their own color and see who can make the most dryer lint in that color. Get them to practice forming it into amusing shapes. This will also help the family kill time in the event of a natural disaster.
And there you have it, fun, free survival prep. Not only will you have all the fire you need to cook, keep warm and boil water for washing, you will be sparing the environment the build-up of dryer lint. Happy camping!
About the Author:
You can visit coroutfitters.com for more helpful information about How To Have Fun Making A Survival Firestarter.
