3 Accurate and Proper Ways to Measure Temperature at Home

1 Understanding Thermometers

What is a thermometer?

A thermometer is a healthcare tool used to measure body temperature, the temperature of specific objects, or the temperature of an environment using the principle of thermal sensors in different substances. There are various types of thermometers such as mercury thermometers, alcohol thermometers, and infrared thermometers.

Thermometers are common household tools.

The purpose of thermometers

The main purpose of thermometers is to measure temperature. They serve various purposes in daily life, from home to industry and healthcare:

• Easily monitor and control temperature in engines and machines.
• Measure temperature in air conditioning systems, providing users with optimal temperature.
• Check food quality.
• Survey buildings to detect humidity and leaks.
• Monitor temperature in laboratories.
• Measure body temperature in healthcare.

Electronic thermometers are used in laboratories.

Types of thermometers

Mercury thermometer

A device that measures body temperature using the principle of mercury expansion as the temperature increases. This is an old-fashioned thermometer that has been widely used for a long time.

Mercury thermometers are widely used in daily life.

Infrared thermometer

A type of thermometer that measures temperature without touching the person or object by measuring the amount of infrared radiation emitted by the body. Infrared thermometers can measure temperature on the forehead, in the ear, or have integrated features to measure both.

Measure without contact and provide highly accurate and safe results.

Digital thermometer

A type of thermometer that uses thermal sensing technology to measure temperature with high accuracy and fast measurement speed. Digital thermometers are popular due to their simplicity, speed, and convenience.

Preferred by users for its convenience and speed.

2 3 Accurate and Proper Ways to Measure Temperature at Home

Oral temperature measurement

This method is suitable for older children and adults. As long as the person being measured can hold the thermometer under their tongue, below the tongue until it beeps, you can apply this method.

This method is not suitable for infants because their mouths are too small to hold the thermometer. Here is the most accurate guide to measuring oral temperature:

Step 1: Choose a thermometer

You can choose a reusable thermometer or a digital thermometer for measuring oral temperature. There are many types of thermometers specifically designed for measuring temperature in the mouth. You can easily find these thermometers at drugstores.

If you have an old glass thermometer, be careful when using it because it contains mercury inside. If it breaks, the mercury can be released and cause poisoning if inhaled, especially in children.

Choose a specialized thermometer for measuring temperature in the mouth.

Step 2: Wait for 20 minutes after bathing! Taking a warm bath can affect body temperature, so wait for about 20 minutes before measuring to get the most accurate result.

Wait for 20 minutes after bathing to measure temperature for the most accurate result.

Step 3: Prepare the thermometer probe

Clean the thermometer probe with rubbing alcohol soap and warm water, then rinse with cold water and dry thoroughly.

Clean the probe with rubbing alcohol soap and warm water to prepare for temperature measurement.

Step 4: After preparing the thermometer, place it under the tongue to measure temperature. Make sure the probe is completely in the mouth, under the tongue, not close to the lips. The tongue should cover the entire thermometer probe.

Place the thermometer under the tongue to measure temperature.

Step 5: Remove the thermometer from the mouth after it beeps, and look at the display to determine whether the person has a fever or not. A temperature reading above 38 degrees Celsius indicates a fever, but there is no need to take the sick person to the doctor immediately unless the fever exceeds a certain temperature.

Take the thermometer out of the mouth after the digital thermometer beeps.

Step 6: Remember to clean the thermometer before storing it away by using warm water and soap, drying it thoroughly before storing it for future use.

Clean the thermometer with warm water, soap, and dry it after use.

Axillary temperature measurement

This method is less accurate than other methods of temperature measurement. Because the external body temperature can vary greatly depending on environmental factors, this method is less accurate than when measuring in the mouth or rectum.

However, the axillary temperature measurement method is easier to perform. If you choose this method and the thermometer shows a temperature higher than 37.2 degrees Celsius, you should check for a more accurate result by measuring in the rectum or mouth.

If you are measuring the temperature for an infant, the only method you should use is measuring in the rectum. Each small temperature measurement is crucial when measuring temperature for infants.

Step 1: Use a multi-purpose digital thermometer. Find a digital thermometer designed to be used in the rectum, mouth, or axillary. With a thermometer like this, you can measure the temperature axillary first, then if the temperature is too high, you can try another method.

Choose a multi-purpose digital thermometer for measuring temperature axillary.

Step 2: Turn on the digital thermometer and place it in the armpit. Lift the arm up, place the thermometer in, then lower the arm down so that the thermometer probe is placed correctly in the middle of the armpit. The entire thermometer probe should be covered.

Turn on the digital thermometer and place it in the armpit to measure temperature.

Step 3: Remove the thermometer after it beeps. Look at the display to determine whether the person has a fever or not.

Remove the thermometer gently after it beeps to read the temperature result.

Step 4: Clean the thermometer before storing it away. Use warm water and rubbing alcohol soap to clean the probe thoroughly.

Clean the thermometer with warm water and soap and dry the equipment after use.

Rectal temperature measurement

Step 1: You can use a reusable thermometer or a digital thermometer for rectal temperature measurement. Some digital thermometers are designed to be used in the rectum, mouth, or axillary, while others are designed specifically for rectal use.

However, you should look for a thermometer with a wide bar and a probe that does not penetrate too deep into the rectum. This type of thermometer will make measurement easier and reduce discomfort.

Choose a thermometer designed for rectal temperature measurement.

Step 2: Wait for 20 minutes after bathing or swaddling the baby. Taking a warm bath or swaddling the baby with a warm blanket can affect the baby’s body temperature, so wait for about 20 minutes to ensure the most accurate measurement.

Wait for 20 minutes after bathing or swaddling the baby for the most accurate measurement.

Step 3: Prepare the thermometer probe. Clean it with rubbing alcohol soap and warm water, then rinse with cold water and dry thoroughly. You can also dip the probe in lubricating oil to make insertion easier.

Clean the probe to prepare for temperature measurement.

Step 4: Place the baby in a comfortable position, either lying on their belly on your lap or lying on their back on a stable surface. Choose the most comfortable position for the baby and the most convenient position for you to insert the thermometer into the baby’s rectum.

Make the baby lie comfortably before measuring the temperature.

Step 5: Turn on the thermometer. Most thermometers have a clear display button, simply press the power button. Wait for one or two seconds for the thermometer to adjust to the temperature.

Turn on the digital thermometer to measure temperature for the baby.

Step 6: Gently insert the thermometer. Hold the baby’s buttocks apart with one hand and gently insert the thermometer about 2cm. Stop if you feel any resistance.

Hold the thermometer steadily by holding it between your thumb and middle finger. While the other hand holds the baby’s buttocks to prevent them from squirming.

Insert the thermometer into the baby’s rectum to measure temperature.

Step 7: When the thermometer beeps, carefully remove it from the rectum. Read the displayed numbers to determine if the baby has a fever or not. A temperature reading of 38 degrees Celsius or above is considered a fever.

Remove the thermometer gently after it beeps to read the temperature result.

Step 8: Clean the thermometer before storing it away. Use warm water and rubbing alcohol soap to thoroughly clean the probe.

Clean the thermometer with warm water and soap and dry the equipment after use.

3 Some Notes When Using a Thermometer

Here are some methods for cleaning up mercury if a thermometer is accidentally broken:

• Change clothes and wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
• Immediately turn off devices that create airflow such as fans, air conditioners, etc., to limit the evaporation of mercury.
• Never use your bare hands to collect mercury and fragments from the thermometer; use rubber gloves to ensure safety.
• Use a wet cotton ball to collect mercury droplets and place them in a tightly sealed glass container.
• If there is any suspicion of mercury poisoning, immediately go to the nearest medical facility for examination and treatment.

When facing the situation of a broken mercury thermometer, stay calm and handle it with the mentioned methods

You may also like

Getting the Most Accurate Results from Reading a Mercury Thermometer

Are you looking for a convenient and quick way to measure body temperature? Consider using a mercury thermometer! However, to get accurate results, it is important to understand how and where to use it correctly.