A good thermometer for all the family (Calpol Digital Ear Thermometer)

Member Name: jillycat

Product:	Calpol Digital Ear Thermometer
Date:	11/11/09 (105 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: see pros in overall section of review

Disadvantages: see cons in overall section of review

Why this product
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A thermometer is an essential in any household with babies and children in my opinion as when their unwell one of the first things you check is their temperature. You then also tend to keep an eye on it in case of horrid things like febrile convulsions.

I bought this thermometer prior to my son being born. I selected a digital ear thermometer as I felt comfortable using ear thermometers having used them at work previously as a nurse. I also felt that these are one of the most accurate ways of quickly taking a temperature.

What the thermometer looks like
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The thermometer comes in a clear and purple box which stores the thermometer and the probe cover. The box has a weird hole bit for you to lay the probe cover in and to then push the thermometer probe into it to place the cover over the probe. Underneath the box is a slide out section which contains the instructions for use.

The thermometer itself has a white and purple ergonomically designed handle /body. On one side is the one of button and the LCD display unit. On the other side is the start button. At the top of the main body at 45 degree angle is the probe section this is cone like section.

In use and opinion
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Taking a temperature
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With an ear thermometer it is important to use them correctly because if you don't you can get an inaccurate reading which is very misleading. So I will give a quick run down on how it should be use.

1) Fitting the probe cover this is needed to ensure a hygienic and accurate reading. You insert the cover onto the storage case hole and push the probe section down firmly this ensures the probe cover is a tight fit across the probe. If you try to push it on by hand rather than using the hole it will often tear. It will also be not as tight across the probe tip and this seems affect the accuracy.

2) Press the on button when the C or F is flashing it is ready to use

3) In Children under one pull the ear back towards the rear of their head and gently insert the probe into the ear canal then press the start button. It will then beep to let you know the temperature has been taken

4) In children over 1 and in adults you pull the ear back and upwards rather than just back then insert the probe press start and wait for the beep.

5) Once removed read the LCD display for your temperature reading and dispose of the probe cover.

I find this very easy to use and the fact that it gives a reading in a second is just great. The setting up of the thermometer actually takes longer than doing the reading. The bit that is important to get right is the ear bit as if it isn't in the ear canal the reading will be wrong. We have found that at times due to either a wriggly baby or not pulling the ear back it can reduce the reading by as much as 1.5 degrees centigrade which is quite a lot when you are thinking about does your child have a temperature or not.

I think the wriggling factor is the hardest area really in using this thermometer. Its ok for use in adults as they are happy to sit still but babies and young children can find it hard to be still enough for you to pull their ear back and insert the probe.


Other features
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*It gives 10 short beeps when their temperature reads as a fever this a feature that I really quite like you often know before you are even reading the result that you child has a fever. My husband loves this bit has he can never remember at what point a fever starts so if it beeps he knows our son has a temperature and can take appropriate action as needed

*The display lights up so you don't have to turn on the lights at night. This is handy we find if we are trying to keep lights at a minimum in the night so our son does then think it is morning and not want to go back to sleep. The light I find is sufficient for you to read the temperature.

*You can choose between Centigrade and Fahrenheit settings which is handy when grandparents are around. The reason being both sets of grandparents find Centigrade impossible so like to take the temperature of our son when needed in Fahrenheit this facility means we can flit between the two with out much problem.

*You can store up to 12 previous temperatures so you can keep track of any changes. This features is very handy as most parents I know like to keep a track if the temperature is getting better or worse when your child has a fever. This allows you to monitor it careful rather than relying on your memory. I am sure most sleep deprived parents will know that feeling of taking a temperature and then forgetting it after a matter of seconds this stops you having to take it again to be sure!

*The instruction manual is very clear and simple to follow there are plenty of diagrams and pictures to help you use this correctly without any problems. There is also which I love a few helpful hints such as always using the same ear as temperatures can vary slightly between ears. That ear wax can cause a lower reading.

Overall
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This is a good digital ear thermometer from a well know company

Pros
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*Temperature taken in one second
*Accurate if used correctly
*Can store up to 12 temperature readings
*Can take in both Centigrade and Fahrenheit
*LCD light to make it easier to use in the dark

Cons
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*Can give mis-readings if not used correctly for example ear not pulled back due to wriggling
*Probe covers expensive
*High cost item compared to forehead readers
* The wriggle factor in small children can make it hard to use at times

I would recommend this thermometer to parents who want an accurate reading. My advice would be to practice taking the temperature first on your child or baby when they are well so you know what to do when they aren't. This is because it can be a little tricky to get right and you don't want to be messy around when your worried and they are sick.

Where from
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It is on sale at Boots Amazon and quite a lot of chemists. The price varies between £25-30 it comes with 20 probe covers to get you started. Replacement probe covers for a 40 set box cost around £5. In the first Bounty pack I got there was a voucher for £10 off this which I think brings it down to a more realistic and reasonable cost.

Summary: A good reliable digital thermometer but an expensive buy