How to use a fire extinguisher
Three-band instruction chart showing soda-acid, foam and carbon-tet extinguishers, each with hand diagrams, a spray stream and the type of fire it suits (ordinary, oil, electrical). No war imagery appears. The technique is faint here; the sheet is practical instruction and presents only these three types.
Propaganda techniques used in this poster
- Date
- 1941
- Period
- Second World War
- Made by
- Bethlehem Steel Company
- Region
- North America
- Country
- United States
- Medium
- Poster
- Issuer type
- Corporation
- Regime
- Roosevelt Administration
- Leader
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Audience
- Domestic public
- Purpose
- Warn or inform
- Themes
- Home front, Science and technology
- Event
- World War II
- Regime
- Roosevelt administration
- Leader
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Source
- Identified Openly sourced: the speaker is who they say they are
- Source
- U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 44, World War II Posters, retrieved October 4, 2026
- Rights
- Public domain (U.S. government work)
Bethlehem Steel Company. National Archives and Records Administration, RG 44, 44-PA-1024 (NAID 514550).
Text on the object
How to use a Fire Extinguisher SODA-ACID (water base) FOR ORDINARY FIRES (wood, rubbish, etc.) Usually painted red Turn upside down to start Aim at base of fire NOT for ELECTRICAL Fires NOT for OIL fires FOAM ... BEST FOR OIL FIRES Top painted yellow Turn upside down to start Aim at inner side of container or Let stream fall gently on fire to form a blanket of foam. DON'T aim into the OIL. NOT for ELECTRICAL Fires CARBON-TET ... BEST FOR ELECTRICAL FIRES Can be used on ordinary and oil fires Open valve Press lever-spray into fire DON'T breathe the smoke and fumes Unlock by turning handle then pump Aim at base of fire [imprint:] © BETHLEHEM STEEL COMPANY
