Anyone using new non mercury thermometers

[sandramaac]

My ds broke my last 'old fashioned' mercury thermometer and I had to go out and buy a new thermometer. I realized that you can no longer buy the mercury filled thermometers (they wer taken off the market because mercury is toxic), and they sell these new one that are mercury free. I do not feel they are as accurate as the old ones.

Anyone else using these new mercury free thermometers and do you feel they are as accurate. I dont even have a single old one left that I can compare. I always held off on buying the unit that you use in the ear because I felt the the thermometer was still more accurate--even the doctors will tell you this.

On a side note, what a joy trying to clean up the glass and mercury from the old thermometer. Anyone remember how the mercury beads up and then you cant catch it because it is so jiggly.

 

[amid chaos]

Mine was broken over the weekend and I am going out today to find another one. I have 2 home sick today. Love the mercury ones and I know that I am going to have to "settle" on something else.

Sorry, I can't help you.

 

[cgcw]

I broke a mercury one and remember well what a treat it was to clean up.

I had an ear thermometer but was never happy with the way it would read....sometimes very high, sometimes very low in just a matter of minutes. I now use a digital one and take the temp several times (3-4) so that I feel I get a better reading.

In the end, if my child is sick, I know they are sick because of the temp. If they don't respond to Tylenol, I'll give them a dose of Motrin. Having that exact temperature isn't something I stress over too much (many other things I do, though) as long as I know which medication is going to help them.

 

[Dan Murphy]

We have used, and been pleased with, the ear thermoters for many years, just like the docs and hospitals use. Here is cleanup help.

http://www.extension.umn.edu/info-u/household/BK655.html

 

[AirForceRocks]

It only took me one time trying to get a temperature reading with a mercury thermometer (DD was 2 weeks old) to decide that Thermoscan was the only way to go. That was almost 9 years ago, and no way would I EVER go back to a regular thermometer. Our doctor told us that when used correctly, the ear units are every bit as accurate as the mercury types, and a million times easier to use. Plus, I figure if it's good enough for the doctor/hospital, it's good enough for me.

I would highly recommend the Thermoscan - when dealing with a sick child (or a sick DH ) it just makes life so much easier.

 

[luvwinnie]

and a mercury. I find it to be about a half of a degree lower than the merc.