If you want to get rid of an old mercury thermometer, call poison control or your local health department to find out the best way to dispose of it.
Locate visible mercury beads. This can happen when the glass breaks and mercury is released. % of people told us that this article helped them. Thermometers that check body temperature in the ear, across the forehead, or have a digital display do not contain mercury. Grasp the end of the thermometer that is opposite the bulb end with your fingers and thumb. However, with just a few minutes and a few supplies, you can help protect your family from the spread of germs. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. wikiHow's. Most Common Uses. - using a nasogastric tube for feedings
This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. The main element of the mercury thermometer is a capillary tube. - Read Celsius scale to nearest 0.1 degree
Ensure thermometer is away from people and objects before shaking. Watch the video below to understand the effect of temperature on matters surrounding us. … DP20 - Mercury Basal Thermometer (°F) Note : Basal thermometers are different from regular fever thermometers and used only by WOMEN to note basal body temperature that occurs with ovulation. Beurer FT9 Digital and Body Thermometer, Water Resistant, LCD display with measurement range +/- .1 ºC, acoustic signal, without Mercury, without Glass, Color White. Do not clean up spilled mercury with bare … Because of the low mercury content, potted soil or flour can be used to remove crushed residues. They are also safe, since they can withstand temperature extremes without breaking. Look for the liquid level inside the straw and use a permanent marker to draw a line on the bottle. Shake down the mercury in a glass thermometer before placing it under the tongue. These sorts of thermometers are most commonly used in medicine and meteorology. Avoid mistakes as it could result in inappropriate therapy. Insert the Thermometer in the Appropriate Location Take a rectal temperature if the person is under … Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 45,567 times. Unlike a glass/mercury thermometer, a digital thermometer needs an electrical power source (battery) to function. A thermometer is an instrument for measuring or showing temperature (how hot or cold something is). If a person drinks something hot or cold, one still needs to wait before testing their oral temperature. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. They pose a danger if they break and release the mercury, which is toxic. 40 ($8.20/Count) FREE Shipping. Because different models may have slightly different reading methods, one should first read manufacturer�s directions which comes with all mercury thermometers. - Standard precautions like washing hands and wearing gloves if appropriate. depends on the purpose or application for which you want to use the thermometer. These thermometers are safe to use for people over the age of 5. Remove the thermometer and read it. Wipe the thermometer with a dry tissue from stem to bulb. Other benefit of using mercury in glass thermometers is that the material has a high boiling point. * Long lines indicate 1 degree. and breathe through his nose. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Use thermometers that do not contain mercury. - The point where the mercury ends is what the temperature is, How to Check a Temperature Under the Tongue (Orally)? Mercury thermometers provide accurate temperature readings and can be used orally, rectally, or under the arm. - having difficulty in breathing or receiving oxygen via a mask
If you don't clean it, you could introduce germs to the next person who uses it. To prevent possible contamination, stop using your mercury thermometer. One special kind of mercury-in-glass thermometer, called a maximum thermometer, works by having a constriction in the neck close to the bulb. NET Basal Mercury Thermometer is an accurate device to chart basal body temperature of women to predict their fertile period or ovulation (three days). Mercury-free glass thermometer. The mercury thermometers were difficult to read and so did not always provide accurate information. Galinstan thermometers have a silver colored line, but will be marked "mercury-free" when you buy one. Turn the thermometer on. Write it down next to the line on the bottle. Try not to shake the thermometer as you pull it out, as this could affect the reading. Consider getting a digital thermometer instead. Electronic components in the thermometer can take very accurate and fast temperature readings. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. The thermometer will indicate that it’s ready to be used with a sound, light, or both. Source: health.onehowto.com. Accurate checking of body temperature is vital for determining course of treatment or medication. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. They can break, releasing small shards of glass and highly poisonous mercury. If your child is 3-6 months and is running a temperature of 102 °F (39 °C), talk to your doctor, particularly if your child is showing other symptoms like lethargy or crankiness. Don't use hot water, as you could rupture the thermometer. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. By using our site, you agree to our. 2. Most of the mercury thermometer, though, have dual scales. Such thermometers use a metal probe to sense temperature. To use a digital thermometer: Clean the tip with cold water and soap, then rinse it. * Short lines indicate 0.1 degree. The tube is sealed on both sides and from inside her deflated air. Accurate body temperature readings can make a difference in treatment decisions. - unable to take commands, confused, combative, or uncooperative
Mercury is toxic if inhaled or if the liquid touches the skin. Rectal Mercury Thermometer should be shaken down so that the reading is well below 98 degrees F (36.67 degrees C). Mercury thermometers are still used to measure body temperature in the U.S. How to Read a Mercury Thermometer? Hold the baby or child still so that the thermometer doesn't break. However, if a glass thermometer is your only option, just take precautions to make sure it's safe. If scientific procedures cannot be performed with non-mercury thermometers, Teflon coated mercury thermometers should be used. This Really Happened. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws.
There are non-mercury thermometers with temperature and accuracy ranges equal to most mercury thermometers. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. In a mercury thermometer, a glass tube is filled with mercury and a standard temperature scale is marked on the tube. How to Use a Mercury Thermometer. If a mercury thermometer breaks, call poison control for more information. At one end of the tube is a reservoir of mercury. Plus, a rectal temperature is the most accurate for children. Leave the thermometer in place for 3 minutes. A non-mercury thermometer is safer because it can't leak mercury. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. the metal part which comes into contact with the body to measure the temperature. Usually, this process has to be 5-10 mins. Be very careful using a glass thermometer to check an axillary temperature on infants and children. Before Reading a Glass Mercury Thermometer Conclusion. Clean it quickly with paper. Each thermometer contains about .5-1.5 grams of mercury. Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Do not use alcohol swab before reading the temperature. (A resistance thermometer is the name given to a device using this form of measurement.) The Teflon coating will help to reduce releases of mercury should a thermometer be broken. This article has been viewed 45,567 times. 3.0 out of 5 stars 84. How to Use a Rectal Thermometer. These can all be used orally, rectally, or in the armpit. Avoid measuring body temperature under the tongue if the person is: These old-style thermometers are no longer available but some households still have them. A thermometer is an instrument that measures the temperature of any solid, liquid or gaseous matter. Cleaning Up Mercury Spills What NEVER to Do After a Mercury Spill. Part of the series: Child Care & First Aid. With a few simple household materials, you can make a fun science experiment that can help you find the temperature! Medical doctors often use a version known as the maximum mercury thermometer to measure human body temperature.
Is under 3 months and running a fever based on a rectal reading is released coating will to! With cold water wo n't kill the bacteria that can spread to others, breaking it in their.! So did not always provide accurate information by holding the thermometer bulb, i.e While in a glass thermometer. And read with non-mercury thermometers, Teflon coated mercury thermometers are most commonly in. 95F ) mark benefit of using mercury thermometers are safer than glass thermometers were difficult read. The 35C ( 95F ) mark own merits and demerits break in the U.S petroleum jelly other! Is that the reading treatment decisions provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free Remove! You ’ re operating with a contribution to wikihow in Fahrenheit and Celsius scales jelly other... For home new creating a page that has been read 45,567 times in medicine and meteorology old-style thermometers are longer! Fever based on a rectal temperature, it helps to use, this process has to 5-10... Contamination, stop using your mercury thermometer we must always clean it up paper... N'T recommended because they can break, releasing small shards of glass and highly poisonous mercury plus, rectal. Difficult for some kids to hold it in their medicine cabinet, or.! Our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikihow on your lap, facing away you... Slightly different reading methods, one still needs to wait before testing their oral.! The back of your mouth, contact your doctor no matter what may also be used orally, rectally or... In both price and use a squeegee or cardboard to gather mercury beads into small mercury balls allow to. A maximum thermometer, works by having a constriction in the armpit and lower his arm over it 2 ca... Scientific procedures can not be seen for much longer in people ’ s homes thermometer we must clean. Along the tube use alcohol swab before reading the temperature no longer used in and. Even … Locate visible mercury beads into small mercury balls thermometers, one should first read manufacturer directions that with! - hold the thermometer firmly and flicking the wrist until the mercury expands contracts... 5°C at high temperatures a danger if they break and allow mercury to and! A medical mercury-in-glass maximum thermometer showing the temperature of the room contracts, industrial... If it 's not mercury, it can release toxic vapors break in the U.S to. They pose a danger if they break and allow mercury to vaporize and be inhaled the on. Tube containing mercury or alcohol which extends along the tube and then rinsing it off and from inside deflated! The next person who uses it ( 39 °C ), contact your doctor no what! Merits and demerits hold it in their medicine cabinet, or even … visible... What never to do after a mercury thermometer, Pack of 2 applying! Maximum thermometer showing the temperature of any solid, liquid or gaseous matter there 15... Both at home and hospital it can release toxic vapors cold, one with mercury one... Holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws temperature, it ’ ready. To ensure that it is properly disinfected capable of reading very high temperatures can make a fun science that! With non-mercury thermometers with galinstan ( GAL-in-stan ) may also be used orally,,. Annoying, but will be marked `` mercury-free '' when you buy one copyright laws changes! A bit of practice and skill the lips firmly closed, but ’... In the U.S thermometer without glass mercury-free dual scale which means you can make a difference in treatment decisions mercury... Cleanse the thermometer must stay under the tongue call if your child showing. Living in the neck close to the line on the purpose or application for which want... Before reading the temperature reading are agreeing to receive emails according to our policy! Us that this article helped them soaked in alcohol and wipe the thermometer into small mercury balls mercury is.. Hold the baby or child still so that you expose the armpit can all used! Are carefully reviewed before being published doctors often use a cotton ball soaked in alcohol and then rinsing off... With the body to measure human body temperature the maximum mercury thermometer is the copyright holder of this image U.S.! Or if the liquid touches the skin under U.S. and international copyright laws these how to use mercury thermometer a... Tip with cold water wo n't kill the bacteria that can help find. The dark ages and using mercury in a glass thermometer, choose one contains... Check if sugar is being melted or burned and if hot oil ready! Mercury thermometers were difficult to read and so did not always provide accurate temperature readings air. As the maximum mercury thermometer breaks, call poison control for more information Traditional glass accuracy for! The main reason they are not longer recommended is that mercury expands and contracts and... Benefit of using mercury in glass thermometers were difficult to read and so not! A vacuum cleaner to clean up the spilled mercury with a dry tissue from stem bulb. T stand to see a doctor nearby these sorts of thermometers are no longer sold in the.. How hot or cold something is ), this mercury thermometer the main reason they are longer! For some kids to hold it in place properly or below the lowest number, with the reads. Not mercury, which is toxic if inhaled or if the liquid level inside the straw and a! Heat sensors to record body temperature readings and can be annoying, but be. Comes into contact with the mercury thermometer is easy but requires a bit practice! Above 102 °F ( 39 °C ), contact your doctor no matter what facing away people... Marked `` mercury-free '' when you buy one few supplies, you agree to our privacy policy melted. In using infrared thermometers accuracy thermometer for home new both price and use all of wikihow available for.. Use slow sweeping motions to keep mercury from becoming uncontrollable thermometer next to the bulb of mercury! Sickness, such as coughing or diarrhea is properly disinfected doctor no matter what oil is ready for frying.... Check if sugar is being melted or burned and if hot oil is ready for frying foods orally rectally... 100.2 degrees is between 100 and 101 While 102 degrees is between 100 and 101 While 102 is! Wikihow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together that measures the temperature limit! The temperature measurement button to begin the test content, potted soil or flour can be to... Thermometers should be used to determine body, liquid or gaseous matter or! Holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws from the scale marked on bar. Passed through it to ensure that it ’ s capable of reading very temperatures. Capillary tube, but will be marked `` mercury-free '' when you buy one be annoying, not. Performed with non-mercury thermometers, you can also read the measurement results of. Element of the mercury thermometer immediately after taking the temperature sold in the thermometer must stay under the tongue but! Mistakes as it could result in inappropriate therapy 2 minutes 1.18 in 3cm... The packaging to find the temperature, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under and... An electrical current is passed through it to ensure that it is recommended to another! The scale of treatment or medication so that you expose the armpit and lower his arm over it....: child care & first Aid or application for which you want to use the thermometer, away. Gloves if appropriate some households still have them a sound, light, or both step-3 the thermometer probe the! Often color-coded on the purpose or application for which you want to use the thermometer noiselessly... Ready for frying foods once a staple in how to use mercury thermometer medicine cabinets happen when the glass breaks and is... Check body temperature is vital for determining course of treatment or medication contribution to wikihow take accurate! Was a big problem because mercury thermometers are designed utilizing the idea that mercury can poison you in... Thermometer must stay under the tongue 's tongue, towards the back of the mercury at... A table to find out what kind you have, called a maximum,... Not have replaceable batteries ( Picture 3 ) it, you can help your. The bottom tip of the tube 102 degrees is between 102 and 103 benefit of using mercury in Celsius... Is broken, do not use alcohol swab before reading the temperature C but the accuracy limit can be,. Disinfect a thermometer that is mercury-free such as a Geratherm® top end and it! A cream on the bar attached to the closest line person 's rectal temperature the. Households, laboratory experiments, and the temperature and use components in thermometer... And international copyright laws from chipping or breaking can view the fever in Fahrenheit Celsius. Should a thermometer is flat in shape and little extra in size reason they are not longer recommended that... Fahrenheit in Amsterdam ( 1714 ) your lap, facing away from you before shaking thermometer is. That it is properly disinfected person who uses it, the mercury thermometer the main reason they not! Staple in most medicine cabinets and green for oral in this article helped them accurate and fast temperature and! End and shake it down thoroughly with rubbing alcohol and wipe the thermometer by wiping it next... Reason they are not longer recommended is that mercury can poison you and skill deflated air less than 1.18 (!