Learn to use it now: Soda-acid hand fire extinguisher
War Department instruction sheet (WD Poster No. 5-6) for the soda-acid 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-1245 (NAID 514851).
Text on the object
THIS EXTINGUISHER IS FOR YOUR PROTECTION LEARN TO USE IT NOW FOR FIRE ONLY SODA-ACID HAND FIRE EXTINGUISHER. For Use on wood, paper, rubbish, and other ordinary combustibles. DO NOT USE on live electrical equipment or burning liquids. Effect is obtained by cooling 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 at base of flame Caution Protect from freezing. Do not add antifreeze solution or compounds REPORT to proper authorities* any of the following features: 1. Extinguisher empty or partially empty. 2. Hose broken or damaged. 3. Hose nozzle clogged or damaged. 4. Evidence of tampering. 5. Evidence of leaking or corrosion. * Call __________ Phone _____ ARRANGE FOR CHARGING AND REPLACEMENT IN SERVICE IMMEDIATELY AFTER USE WD Poster No. 5-6. Soda-Acid Hand Fire Extinguisher. [imprint:] U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1946-O-719373 Distribution: Special.
