Learn to use it now: Foam hand fire extinguisher
War Department instruction sheet (WD Poster No. 5-5) for the foam hand 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-1246 (NAID 514852).
Text on the object
THIS EXTINGUISHER IS FOR YOUR PROTECTION LEARN TO USE IT NOW FOR FIRE ONLY FOAM HAND FIRE EXTINGUISHER. For Use on burning liquids, such as oil, grease, gasoline, paint; also paper, rubbish and other ordinary combustibles. DO NOT USE on live electrical equipment. Effect is obtained by cooling, smothering, and quenching. HOW TO OPERATE 1. Lift extinguisher from hanger hook 2. Carry by ring top. Do not tip 3. Turn extinguisher upside down when ready to attack fire. 4. Direct stream against inside opposite wall of container or allow foam to fall lightly on surface Caution Do not aim stream directly into burning liquid. Protect from freezing. Do not add antifreeze compound REPORT to proper authorities* any of the following features: 1. Extinguisher empty or partially empty. 2. Broken or damaged hose. 3. Hose nozzle clogged or damaged. 4. Evidence of tampering. 5. Evidence of corrosion or leaking. * Call __________ Phone _____ ARRANGE FOR CHARGING AND REPLACEMENT IN SERVICE IMMEDIATELY AFTER USE WD Poster No. 5-5. Foam Hand Fire Extinguisher. [imprint:] U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1946-O-719398 Distribution: Special.
