safety match

a match designed to ignite only when rubbed on a specially prepared surface.

Origin of safety match

First recorded in 1860–65

After several ineffectual attempts to light this, he discovered it was a safety-match.

Tales of Space and Time |Herbert George Wells
The grenadier wore an armlet covered with a friction composition such as is used on a safety-match box.

Inventions of the Great War |A. Russell (Alexander Russell) Bond
He could trust himself—but woe to the groom who so much as scratched a safety-match within his domain.

Much Ado About Peter |Jean Webster
I sent you a safety-match box full of flowers last night from Leukerbad.

The Letters Of Mark Twain, Volume 3, 1876-1885 |Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)

One scheme was to use a safety-match composition on the end of a fuse.

Inventions of the Great War |A. Russell (Alexander Russell) Bond

safety match

a match that will light only when struck against a specially prepared surface