The safety of true safety matches is derived from the separation of the reactive ingredients between a match head on the end of a paraffin-impregnated splint and the special striking surface (in addition to the safety aspect of replacing the white phosphorus with red phosphorus).

What makes a safety match?

Modern safety matches usually have antimony sulfide, oxidizing agents such as potassium chlorate, and sulfur or charcoal in the heads, and red phosphorus in the striking surface. Nonsafety matches usually have phosphorus sesquisulfide in the heads.

Who invented the safety matches?

John Walker In 1826, John Walker, a chemist in Stockton on Tees, discovered through lucky accident that a stick coated with chemicals burst into flame when scraped across his hearth at home. He went on to invent the first friction match.

What is the thing you strike a match on called?

match head What is the thing you strike a match on called? The top of the match is called the match head, and it contains an oxidizer, usually potassium chlorate.

What is the end of a match called?

head The coated end of a match, known as the match head, consists of a bead of active ingredients and binder; often colored for easier inspection.

What does white phosphorus do to the human body?

Exposure to white phosphorus may cause burns and irritation, liver, kidney, heart, lung, or bone damage, and death. White phosphorus has been found in at least 77 of the 1,416 National Priorities List (NPL) sites identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

How do you burn a matchstick?

You rub the match head against the red strip on the side of the matchbox. This strip on the box contains a bit of powdered glass to make it extra rough. Scratching the rough match head against the rough strip leads to friction. That creates just enough heat to start a series of chemical reactions.