How to Fool a Thermometer Reading

There are many days that children want to play hooky from school and fooling mom and dad is easier than ever before. Whether you are a parent that needs to be wise to your child, or a child, looking for a way to play hooky, the thermometer is the instrument used to effectively fake a temperature. When using a thermometer to fool a temperature, always use a digital thermometer, as glass thermometers contain mercury, and can be hazardous.

Steps to Fooling a Thermometer

This method of fooling a thermometer is for digital thermometers only! Taking the thermometer, hold it in your hand with the silver tip directed towards a light bulb. Hold approximately 1/4 inch from the light bulb for one minute. Do not touch the thermometer with the tip of the light bulb. Check the temperature reading, if it isn't the degree you were hoping for, repeat the process. Thermometers read on heat, and with the heat that a light bulb produces, this is one of the best ways to fool the thermometer. A fever that won't get you rushed to the doctor will be right around 191 degrees.

Other Methods for Fooling a Thermometer

Other methods to fool a thermometer are hot water and a heating pad. With hot water, run the silver tip of the thermometer under the water. If the reading is too high, add a little cold water. For fooling the thermometer with a heating pad, simply place the tip of the thermometer in the heating pad, and fold. If you have a wall furnace, you can hold the thermometer against the heat coming out of the furnace until it heats up. You can also use an electric heater and heat the thermometer up as we

Thermometers

The mercury thermometer is a glass thermometer and for oral temperature taking can be hazardous. Always use a digital thermometer. Mercury is a toxin and is poisonous. Should the thermometer break, hazard is involved. If you are using a mercury thermometer, always shake it over a bed or couch. Should it slip out of your hands, it will land on the bed and not break. If the thermometer breaks while in the mouth, be certain to spit the contense out immediately and flush with water, by taking water into the mouth and then spitting it out. Should you happen to swallow the mercury call your physician.