Learn to use it now - Carbon tetrachloride hand fire extinguisher
War Department instruction sheet for a 1-gallon carbon tetrachloride hand fire extinguisher: four numbered drawings show how to carry it, open the valve, and aim at electrical and liquid fires, with a Caution roundel. The technique is faint; it is an instruction sheet, and the closest is transfer, the heading 'This extinguisher is for your protection' attaching the official sheet to personal safety.
Propaganda techniques used in this poster
- Date
- 1946
- Period
- Cold War
- Made by
- U.S. War Department (WD Poster No. 5-2)
- 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
- Science and technology, Security and surveillance
- Event
- 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-1242 (NAID 514848).
Text on the object
THIS EXTINGUISHER IS FOR YOUR PROTECTION LEARN TO USE IT NOW FOR FIRE ONLY CARBON TETRACHLORIDE HAND FIRE EXTINGUISHER, 1-GALLON TYPE. For Use on live electrical equipment, burning liquids and greases. Effect is obtained by smothering vapors, and is a nonconductor of electricity. HOW TO OPERATE 1. Remove extinguisher and carry to fire by carrying handle 2. Set extinguisher on floor or ground, open discharge control valve B 3. Aim directly into electrical fire. 4. On burning liquids in containers direct stream against inside opposite wall above level of burning liquids Caution Avoid Breathing smoke and fumes Don't aim stream directly into burning liquids REPORT to proper authorities* any of the following features: 1. Extinguisher empty or partially empty. 2. Air pressure gage below 100. 3. Hose broken or damaged. 4. Hose nozzle clogged. 5. Hose nozzle and air pressure gage damaged. 6. Evidence of corrosion or leaking. 7. Evidence of tampering. If air pressure in extinguisher is low, it will be indicated on gage. Follow instructions listed below: 1. Be sure valve (B) is closed (Turn Right). 2. Open valve (C) (Turn Left). 3. Release pump handle spring lock (A). 4. Pump pressure to 100. 5. Lock pump handle (A). 6. Close valve (C) (Turn Right). 7. Open valve (B) to operate. *Call ______ Phone ______ ARRANGE FOR CHARGING AND REPLACEMENT IN SERVICE IMMEDIATELY AFTER USE WD Poster No. 5-2. Carbon Tetrachloride Hand Fire Extinguisher, 1 gallon type. [imprint: U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1946-0-719397] Distribution: Special.
