It’s important that we all have accurate and reliable thermometers in our survival and emergency first aid kits. It’s also important that we use thermometers properly in order to get accurate temperature readings. Let’s take a closer look at some subtle differences between popular models that are important to consider as you shop around.
Different Body Temperatures
The body produces different temperatures in different spots, and some areas give off readings that are more-stable as well. The general consensus for adults is that checking temperatures in the mouth or ear will produce the most accurate results whereas the forehead, rectum or armpit are less-reliable. On the other hand, the rectum is considered to be the best place to take the temperatures of babies and children. Interestingly enough, the forehead, temple and armpit are considered to be the least-reliable places to check, probably because these areas are exposed to ambient air.
Normal body temperatures can fluctuate throughout the day, but they generally fall within a certain range. Temperatures taken in the mouth normally range from 97.8 to 99.5 degrees. Ear temperatures will range from 96.4 to 100.4 degrees whereas rectal temperatures tend to fall within 97.9 to 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Consequently, it’s important to be consistent with where you are taking temperatures in order to accurately keep track of a fever.
Different Thermometers
Different types of thermometers will also produce varying temperature readings depending on their design and overall quality. As a general rule of thumb, forehead tape thermometers are the most unreliable, and temple thermometers come in at a close second. While they may be easy to use and promise fast readings, results can be inconsistent and produce temperatures that don’t seem reasonable.
On the other hand, digital ear thermometers are considered to be the most-reliable whereas oral and rectal ones are almost just as good. In all cases, good digital thermometers will produce more specific readings than glass ones that contain mercury. Mercury thermometers don’t require batteries and they’re less-likely to fail over the course of time, and this may be worth considering if you’re looking for a good backup thermometer.
However, it’s also important to remember that mercury thermometers can be extremely-dangerous as mercury is toxic to humans. Most are also made from glass which makes them very fragile. Consequently, they need to be stored and handled with care, and the mercury needs to be collected and disposed of if a thermometer does break.
Make sure that you follow manufacturer instructions for calibrating and using digital thermometers. Most have little idiosyncrasies that need to be addressed in order to get accurate readings. They also need fresh batteries to work properly, and they will lose their charge over time in storage, so make sure to test them periodically.
Finally, try to avoid getting a thermometer that comes with a lot of features that you don’t need or is unnecessarily complicated to use. Instead, focus on one that will be reliable, durable and accurate, because these will be less-likely to fail when you need them most.