Make Waterproof Matches

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A quick, cheap and reliable way to make matches waterproof for any outdoor activity:

You'll need:
- strike-anywhere matches
- a candle
- wax paper
- toothpick or stir stick
- a container that's either disposable (like a used, clean yogurt container) or easily cleaned (i.e. you're going to have to clean wax from it, so it helps if you can put it in a warm oven to melt the wax -- metal bowls work well)

• prep a work area by laying out a sheet of wax paper
• light a candle until you have 3 or 4 tablespoons of melted wax
• pour wax into container (alternately, do this whole exercise in a large pillar candle that can hold the melted wax in a cavity large enough to move matches around)
  
• working quickly, drop in matches (does it need to be said that you should blow out the candle before putting the matches in?)
• using the toothpick or stir stick, swish the matches around to coat with wax
• scoop out matches and spread around over the wax paper
  
• while wax is still warm and soft, remove excess wax with your fingers
  
• allow wax on matches to fully cool and harden (a few minutes)
  
• test a match to make sure they’re working for you
• pack away in a watertight container anyway -- no need to take chances