Matches that light reliably even in wet and windy conditions. Essential fire-starting backup for any survival kit.
Fire is a survival multiplier — it provides warmth, purifies water, cooks food, signals for help, and boosts morale. Waterproof matches give you a reliable ignition source that works in the rain, which is when you’ll need fire the most.
Some waterproof matches need the box striker. Strike-anywhere is more versatile.
Look for matches that burn for 10+ seconds to ignite damp tinder.
A sealed case keeps matches dry and easy to find in your kit.
Even waterproof matches need dry tinder. Pack cotton wool with petroleum jelly.
Always have at least two methods: matches plus a fire steel or lighter.
Windproof, waterproof matches that keep burning in rain and wind — and even relight after being dipped in water. A dependable fire-starting backup for wet British weather.
Wax-coated wood wool firelighters that catch from a single match or spark and burn long enough to get damp kindling or a stove going. They're a cleaner, more reliable alternative to paraffin blocks and don't taint food the way some fuels can, which makes them handy for an emergency cook set as well as the wood burner. Keep a few sealed in your fire kit as wet-weather backup for a fire steel or matches.
A resealable butane/propane valve cartridge that fits Campingaz Bistro and Festivo stoves and lamps. The valve design means you can safely disconnect it part-used and store it, which suits an emergency stove kept for winter power cuts. Check your stove takes the CP250 valve fitting rather than a screw-thread or pierceable cartridge before buying.
Eight Campingaz CP250 valve cartridges — the resealable, puncture-proof type used by Campingaz Bleuet stoves and lanterns. Worth stockpiling so an off-grid stove or lantern keeps running through a long power cut or a run of camping trips. Only fits appliances built for the CP250 valve fitting, not screw-thread EN417 burners.
A single-burner butane stove that runs on Campingaz CP250 cartridges, giving you a stable 2,200W ring for boiling water or cooking a hot meal when the power is off. It sits flat on a sturdy outdoor surface and packs into its own carry case, which makes it a practical backup for camping and longer winter outages.
A twin-burner gas stove that lets you cook a proper meal off-grid or during a power cut, running from standard Campingaz gas. The two 2000W burners take normal pans thanks to removable supports, and the frame folds flat for storage. It needs its own gas supply and good ventilation, so it is for the garden or a well-aired space, never indoor use.
Refined liquid fuel (white gas) for Coleman dual-fuel and liquid-fuel stoves and lanterns. It keeps burning in the cold when gas canisters lose pressure, which makes it a sensible backup for off-grid cooking through winter. One litre keeps a liquid-fuel stove running across plenty of meals.
A screw-fit butane/propane gas cartridge from a long-established outdoor cooking brand — compatible with most screw-fit camping stoves and reliable in cooler weather.
Everything you need to know about assembling a reliable survival kit for UK conditions — from essential gear categories to budget-friendly options and proper storage.
A calm UK guide to feeding your household during a power cut or off-grid: no-cook food, safe camping stoves used outdoors only, and the deadly carbon monoxide risk.
A calm, practical UK guide to lighting a fire in damp British woodland: finding dry tinder, splitting to the dry core, choosing ignition, and staying safe and legal.
