Kidz Med’s ThermoFocus ‘No Touch’ Thermometer: Peaceful Temperature Taking

If you’re dreading the approach of cold and flu season, as I already am, the good news is that temperature-taking has never been easier thanks to Kidz Med’s ThermoFocus ‘No-Touch’ Thermometer ($70). Employing ‘never wake’ technology, it will silently give you a temperature reading in just a second (really!) without the need to ever lay a hand on your cranky, sick child.

The ThermoFocus works by interpreting infrared emissions from the body; during each temperature taking, this thermometer carries out a sequence of 125 readings every hundredth of a second, which are then computed in a tiny microprocessor and revealed on an easy-to-read display. Simply aim the ThermoFocus in the middle of the forehead, move it back and forth until you find the right distance (which you’ll know by the way the infrared beam appears — two fuzzy dots mean you’re too far away, two distinct dots mean you’re too close, one defined dot means you’ve positioned it correctly), press down the smiley face button button, release, and you’re done.

Click ‘More’ to hear about all the different uses of the ThermoFocus, and for tips on how to get the most accurate readings.

But that’s not all the ThermoFocus can do. You can also use this thermometer to get a temperature reading on everything from baby food to bath water. Just be sure to press the button with a house icon, and take the temperature quickly to avoid condensation build-up on the sensor which can affect the accuracy of your reading.

Speaking of, there are some things you must do to ensure that the forehead temperature you’re seeing on the display is accurate. Make sure there is no hair in the way of the infrared beam, that your patient isn’t overly sweaty (in which case, there’s also a method for taking the temperature by way of the belly button), and is free from oils or cosmetics. Another important factor to consider is a draft in the room. We got good, accurate readings of 98.6 in our bathroom, for example, but stepping out into our family room where we have a ceiling fan dropped our forehead readings instantly to 97.5 or lower. That said, once you become familiar with the correct ways and places to use the ThermoFocus, it is really easy to get a fast, reliable reading.

I don’t know that I would, or could, use it with an infant because our pediatrician requires a rectal temperature reading for all babies under 1-year-old. I really like the ThermoFocus for a toddler or older child, however. It takes the hassle out of taking the temperature of someone who — depending on how sick — probably wants nothing to do with being poked and prodded by a thermometer-wielding mom. I also love that you can check on the temperature of your feverish, sleeping child without ever having to wake them. The versatility of use, with the ThermoFocus’ ability to measure room temperatures and more, is also a great feature.

The ThermoFocus ‘No Touch’ Thermometer is powered by 4AAA batteries, which come included with purchase, and is available at a variety of stores including Walgreens.com and Amazon.com.

– Missy