Abstract: A method of using a fire starter includes providing a fire starter made of a calcium silicate hydrate with an inflammable liquid and a packaging at least partially surrounding the fire starter; removing a portion of the packaging to expose a portion of the surface area of the fire starter less than the entire surface area of the fire starter; and lighting the fire starter so that the inflammable liquid in the fire starter burns without significantly affecting the integrity of the fire starter and a flame burns from the exposed portion of the surface area of the fire starter.

Abstract: A method of using a fire starter to light one or more ignitable elements of a fire includes providing a fire starter made of a calcium silicate hydrate adsorbed with an inflammable liquid; positioning the fire starter adjacent one or more ignitable elements; lighting the fire starter so that the inflammable liquid adsorbed in the fire starter burns without significantly affecting the integrity of the fire starter; lighting the one or more ignitable elements with the fire starter to start the fire; and repeating the above steps with the same fire starter to light one or more new, different ignitable elements for a new fire.

Abstract: The invention provides for an accelerometer having an acceleration responsive means associated with a presence detector for detecting the continuous activation of the acceleration responsive means for a predetermined time duration. The accelerometer may further have recording and indicating means responsive to the presence detector. The accelerometer may particularly be used in a motor vehicle to detect excessive acceleration thereof.