Learn to use it now: Carbon tetrachloride hand fire extinguisher
War Department instruction sheet (WD Poster No. 5-3) for the carbon tetrachloride hand fire extinguisher: a red brush-stroke field with the headline 'Learn to use it NOW', four numbered panels showing the extinguisher being lifted, carried and used, and a black 'Caution' disc. This is mainly an instruction sheet, so the technique is faint: the 'for your protection' and 'NOW' framing is a mild fear-appeal.
Propaganda techniques used in this poster
- Date
- 1946
- Period
- Cold War
- Made by
- U.S. War Department
- Region
- North America
- Country
- United States
- Medium
- Poster
- Issuer type
- Military
- Regime
- Truman Administration
- Leader
- Harry S. Truman
- Audience
- Own forces
- Purpose
- Warn or inform
- Themes
- War and the military, Science and technology
- Event
- Post World War II
- 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)
U.S. War Department. National Archives and Records Administration, RG 44, 44-PA-1248 (NAID 514854).
Text on the object
THIS EXTINGUISHER IS FOR YOUR PROTECTION LEARN TO USE IT NOW FOR FIRE ONLY CARBON TETRACHLORIDE HAND FIRE EXTINGUISHER, 1-QUART TYPE. For Use on live electrical equipment and burning liquids and greases. Effect is obtained by smothering vapors, and is a nonconductor of electricity. HOW TO OPERATE 1. Remove from wall bracket by grasping handle and pulling outward 2. On way to fire unlock handle by turning to left 3. Pump vigorously, aim directly into electrical fires. 4. Direct stream at base of flames and work around fire rapidly. If in container, direct stream against inside opposite wall above level of burning liquid Caution Avoid Breathing fumes or smoke Don't aim stream directly into burning liquids REPORT to proper authorities* any of the following features: 1. Extinguisher empty or partially empty. 2. Discharge orifice clogged. 3. Evidence of tampering. 4. Evidence of corrosion or leaking. * Call __________ Phone _____ ARRANGE FOR CHARGING AND REPLACEMENT IN SERVICE IMMEDIATELY AFTER USE WD Poster No. 5-3. Carbon Tetrachloride Hand Fire Extinguisher. [imprint:] U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1946-O-719344 Distribution: Special.
