Fire is life, and being able to start a fire in a survival or disaster situation will give you the ability to purify water, and cook for your family. The 
situation may be that the power is out and the only method of preparing food is with a fire. I am going to share a few of the household items that I like to use when I start my fires. I have used all these methods whether I am burning brush in my fire pit, or starting my campfire by the lake. I think you will find these items useful, as well as easily carried with you. What to start the fire with was discussed in a previous post, titled Fire Starting for Survival. This post talks more about fuels to use.
Toilet Paper Rolls and Dryer Lint
One of my favorite fuels to use when I start a fire is regular old toilet paper rolls that I stuff with dryer lint. Everyone uses toilet paper and has lint produced when drying clothes, so these two items can be found in most any household. I like these because I am not producing trash, but making use of items most people would just toss in the trash. I collect my lint in a grocery bag kept above the dryer, as well as a bag for the rolls. Both are together and easily grabbed when needed.
To use these two items together, I will fluff the dryer lint before I place it in the toilet paper roll. I have learned that if the lint is packed too tight it will just burn out quick. Fluffing the lint allows for the air to help the two burn. This will give you a few minutes of burn time that will start the small twigs used to get going while you add larger wood slowly to your fire.
I like to build a small pyramid of twigs over the lint stuffed roll, leaving both ends exposed for the tool I am using to start the burning process. I do recommend practicing with this technique as I still learn something new each time I use them.
Petroleum Jelly and Cotton Balls
These two items can be purchased most anywhere for little cost. I like to use these together when camping because they are lightweight and easily carried. To use this technique load the cotton ball with the petroleum jelly also known as Vaseline. This will give you a burn for a few minutes as well, and several can be used together to get a fire started. These will catch and burn easily however you may choose to light them.
You can use the same stacking pattern mentioned earlier, but leave access for lighting. These can also be prepared in advance and stored in a sealed bag. This is great for carrying along on hikes, or like me when camping at the lake. Again practicing with this technique will give you confidence when it becomes a necessity to have a fire.
Crayons
Yes you read that right, crayons. In most preparing sites these are recommended as emergency lighting, and they work great this way, but because they burn easily they can also be used to start a fire. It is said that they will burn up to 30 minutes, but I have not tested this. I know they will give off a burn that will be a lot longer than the other items I mention, but do not know a definite burn time. These can be lit and set into the prepared pyramid to get your fire started, although your kids might not appreciate it. I do not have kids, but I do have crayons for this purpose and emergency lighting.
Other items
You can also choose to purchase a starter log, but this is heavy and not easily transported. It can also take up room where other items must be left behind if you must leave your location. I have used a starter log, but I do not use the whole log for one fire. Cutting small chunks from the log and using them will give you more starts from one log.
Another item that can be use, and you may not want to eat again once you 
read this, are Doritos. Yes these will light easily and burn long enough to get a fire going. I have tried them while camping once, and I was shocked at how easily and long they did burn. We just piled up a hand full and lit them. Go ahead and try this for yourself and see that these do in fact burn.
Fire Starting
These are great fuels to used to start your fire with, but practice with them just like any other skill. I am still perfecting my fire starting, and I like to start one in at different times of the year, as well as during dry times, and after rain when your twigs and wood will be wet. Being able to get a fire going in any condition can save you when you need it the most, so go out and practice, include everyone, and be safe.
