---
title: 'Learn to use it now: Water pump tank hand fire extinguisher'
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/learn-to-use-it-now-water-pump-tank-1946/
description: 'War Department instruction sheet (WD Poster No. 5-7) for the water pump tank hand fire extinguisher: a red brush-stroke field with the headline ''Learn'
section: Collection
---

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3. Learn to use it now: Water pump tank hand fire extinguisher

[![Learn to use it now: Water pump tank hand fire extinguisher, 1946 US poster: War Department instruction sheet (WD Poster No](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/learn-to-use-it-now-water-pump-tank-1946.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/learn-to-use-it-now-water-pump-tank-1946.jpg)

# Learn to use it now: Water pump tank hand fire extinguisher

War Department instruction sheet (WD Poster No. 5-7) for the water pump tank 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

[Fear appeal](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/fear-appeal/)

## Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

```
THIS EXTINGUISHER IS FOR YOUR PROTECTION
LEARN TO USE IT NOW
FOR FIRE ONLY WATER PUMP TANK HAND FIRE EXTINGUISHER. For Use on wood, paper, rubbish, and other ordinary combustibles. Effect is obtained by cooling and quenching.
HOW TO OPERATE
1. Remove extinguisher from hanger, hook or shelf
2. Carry to fire by carrying handles
3. Set down in upright position. Place foot on foot rest. 4. Operate hand pump with 6-8 inch stroke. Direct stream at base of flame
Caution
Protect from freezing or add nonfreeze fire extinguisher compounds
REPORT to proper authorities* any of the following features:
1. Tank empty or partially empty. 2. Broken or damaged hose or nozzle. 3. Hose nozzle clogged. 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. 5-7. Water Pump Tank Hand Fire Extinguisher.
[imprint:] U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1946-O-719374
Distribution: Special.
```

[← Learn to use it now: Soda-acid hand fire extinguisher](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/learn-to-use-it-now-soda-acid-1946/) [Σοσιαλδημοκρατία: Μερικοί που ζητούν την ψήφο σου σ' εκυβέρνησαν (Social democracy: some who ask for your vote have ruled you) →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/sosialdimokratia-election-poster-1946/)

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- [Miniature of Pope Urban II at the Council of Clermont, Les Passages d'outremer (BnF Fr. 5594, fol. 19r)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/passages-doutremer-council-of-clermont-colombe-1474/) (France · 1474 · Testimonial, Fear appeal). Content note: Medieval religious imagery and a French text describing alleged killings and captivity of eastern Christians, as used to argue for the First Crusade; the text is shown as written.
- [Anacoana fut pendue sans raison (engraving in Le miroir de la cruelle et horrible tyrannie espagnole)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/anacoana-hanged-miroir-tyrannie-espagnole-1620/) (Dutch Republic · 1620 · Fear appeal, Name-calling). Content note: Engraving of a hanged, bare-breasted Taino woman, burning huts and people being killed by Spanish soldiers.
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- [Proclamation de Sonthonax en créole, Cap-Français (Proclamation of Commissioner Sonthonax in Creole)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/sonthonax-proclamation-creole-1793/) (France · Aug 29, 1793 · Fear appeal, Scapegoating). Content note: Colonial-era proclamation on slavery and emancipation in Saint-Domingue; speaks of slaves, whips and 'Nègues' in period terms.
- [Gazette of the United States, "The Jeffersoniad" no. VIII, 14 August 1800](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/gazette-us-jeffersoniad-1800/) (United States · Aug 14, 1800 · Name-calling, Fear appeal)
- [Tyrants Prostrate, Liberty Triumphant (pro-Polk cartoon on Dorr), 1844](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/tyrants-prostrate-liberty-triumphant-polk-1844/) (United States · 1844 · Name-calling, Fear appeal). Content note: Speech balloons contain anti-Catholic and nativist wording ('the ruins of Popery') in the mouths of the Whig figures, written by a Democratic cartoonist and shown unaltered.
- [Brolej Žemajčiaj! (Brothers Samogitians!): hand-painted broken-cross poster](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/brolej-zemajciaj-broken-cross-1862/) (Russian Empire · 1862 · Fear appeal, Transfer)