How dangerous are matches and BIC lighters?

T

tuxtex

Joined
Jun 18, 2009
Messages
82
Hello,

I assume that most of you would agree, that matches and BIC lighters are one of the easiest tools to start a fire.

However, I have a fear, that matches or a BIC lighter in my BOB could cause a fire hazard by self-ignition due to the high temperatures in a car while the sun is burning.

What are your experiences?

Best regards,

tuxtex
 
How about using a magbar or ferrocerrium rod and some firestraws instead. Very reliable firestarting system and absolutely safe in your car. Chris
 
Matches are dangerous WHEN they are strike anywhere AND they are bounced or jostled with friction. Pack a little cotton ball in there to stop them from moving - problem solved.

Lighters are really resilient. I would worry about the freezing than exploding.

TF
 
I smoke and always leave a BIC lighter in my black truck and never have had an issue other then evaporation of the fluid. And this is in blazing hot southern California Desert sun w/ ungodly temps inside the vechicle, enough to melt and deform asprin and water bottles. I swear by BIC lighters, and I stay away from those cheaper one's. I also leave a BIC a couple of feet away from our woodstove and have never had an issue.
 
WILLIAM.M said:
http://mythbustersresults.com/episode65

4TH POST DOWN
Click to expand...

Read the comments. Numerous firsthand reports of lighters exploding in cars.

The Mythbusters show is entertaining, and it can even be instructive if you think about what you see and form your own conclusions, but the conclusions they give, "confirmed" or "busted," are often obviously unjustified and often obviously false.

In this case they tested only one brand of lighter, and didn't even give that brand the kind of extensive testing that would lead a rational person to conclude it can't happen.
 
a little reminder that "mythbusters" is NOT the FINAL AUTHORITY when it comes to wether or not stuff can happen........

do not rely on the Television as a well trusted source of info................
 
have to agree with the fellow in california desert. i spent a lot of time in chiracaulla desert at 110^ with about 10 others. over the yrs. no problems with bics. in austin 3 yrs. or so back our july averaged 107^ no problems with bics but a bubby of mine left some ammo on his dash & it blew out base of shell casing. wthe rest of us knew that was a no-no from way back.
 
How dangerous are matches and Bic lighters ?


Depends on the person using them.;)
 
I had a disposable lighter rupture while on the dash of my truck. It did not ignite, blew in to two pieces though. Rare I would say. I always keep one in my vehicle, and this was one time in nearly twenty years. It was not a Bic brand, but one of those semi transparent el cheapo jobs.
 
Don't buy cheap lighters. Bic is the best disposable out there. I've kept a Bic lit for well over a minute with NO failures... Beyond a burnt thumb. If you want to pack an emergency lighter, buy a large peanut from countycomm. The zippo style has been around for at least a century and still strong.
 
I had a BIC lighter pull a knife on me in a dark alley. Very dangerous....beware!
 
Bics are safe, safer than the razor/beyond razor sharp knives many of us carry (as far as potential safety risks)

Matches without phosphorous tips are safer in packs because it isn't friction that lights them, in a sealed case, they won't explode, not enough concentration, too much wood/cardboard to create an explosion.

In other words, no worries.
 
I've had 2 Bic lighters in the glovebox of my car for 4-5 years, continuously. Never use them, just there in case. They still light just as good as the day I bought them.
 
the best way to do this, which serves two purposes... is to dip 2-4 times in parafin wax to waterproof and prevent unwanted ignition. I carry about 40 strike anywheres dipped in parafin in a match safe and they get jerked and jostled around all the time, never had an issue.
 
Bushman5 said:
a little reminder that "mythbusters" is NOT the FINAL AUTHORITY when it comes to wether or not stuff can happen........

do not rely on the Television as a well trusted source of info................
Click to expand...

*whew* And here I was worried I might not be able to jump a bus across a 75 foot gap if there's ever a [omitted] on it.

At least I still have hope.

And I can ride that bus for the right amount of change.

Hope and change.

Change? Spare some change?

south-park19.jpg


What? Where am I? :confused:
 
August West said:
How about using a magbar or ferrocerrium rod and some firestraws instead. Very reliable firestarting system and absolutely safe in your car. Chris
Click to expand...

Hi Chris,

I have these item in my car, but the BIC and/or matches as other means would be nice.
 
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