They found that if a surface thermometer (ear, axillary, or infrared) found an elevated temperature, the child had a 96% percent chance of having a truly elevated inner or core temperature. ... The surface thermometers were fairly inaccurate with common levels of error hovering around 1/2 to 3 full degrees Fahrenheit.
How do I know if my thermometer is accurate?
To test your thermometer:
- Fill a tall glass with ice and add cold water.
- Place and hold the thermometer in the ice water for 30 seconds without touching the sides or bottom of the glass. ...
- If the thermometer reads 32°F, it is reading correctly and can be used.
Is it possible for a thermometer to be wrong?
No thermometer will provide accurate results if it's used incorrectly. Never use a thermometer on a person that is meant for another purpose, such as a laboratory or meat thermometer. These won't provide accurate readings.
