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Thermometers

Low Risk

Also known as:

candy thermometer glass thermometer mercury thermometer outdoor thermometer

Possible Symptoms
  • Minor irritation to the mouth
  • Minor upset stomach
  • Eye irritation
What to Do
  1. Wipe or rinse out the mouth.
  2. Give a serving size of water to drink.
  3. Rinse any exposed skin with lukewarm water and soap.
  4. Ventilate and exit the room.
  5. Call 1-800-222-1222 for additional instructions.
If Exposed to Eyes
  1. Start rinsing eye(s) with lukewarm water.
  2. Call the Missouri Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 for further recommendations.

Important

If a mercury thermometer has been broken it is important to call the Missouri Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 for specific clean-up instructions after making sure people and pets are out of the area.

If small pieces of glass have been swallowed, give the person soft foods such as peanut butter, bread, or pasta along with a serving of fluids to help surround the glass pieces to minimize trauma to the soft tissues of the mouth and throat. Call the Missouri Poison Center for further recommendations.

Additional Information

Note: If your child has gotten the liquid in the thermometer into their eyes, call the Missouri Poison Center now for help on how to rinse the eyes.

Thermometers are important to have in the house to check body temperature in an illness but sometimes they break open, spilling out the liquid inside. The information for clean-up and treatment varies based on the type of thermometer. Regardless of the type of liquid inside, broken glass thermometers always have a risk for injury from the sharp pieces of glass, so use caution during clean-up.

In the past, glass thermometers contained mercury which has extra special instructions if broken. Newer glass thermometers do not actually contain mercury, but some of them contain a silver-colored liquid, so it can be difficult to tell apart. Spilled mercury from a broken thermometer breaks up into little shiny balls that move around quickly. If it does not contain mercury, the silver substance inside is considered nontoxic and symptoms are not expected if ingested. Other glass thermometers contain a colored liquid that contains alcohol. This liquid can cause irritation or a burning sensation in the mouth that will go away after rinsing with water.

If your child breaks a glass thermometer, do not panic. Call the Missouri Poison Center for assistance at 1-800-222-1222.  The clean-up instructions are different based on the type of thermometer. For non-mercury thermometers, simply clean up the glass carefully, wash exposed skin, and give them a drink of water if the liquid got into their mouth.

If the thermometer contains mercury, the main concern with mercury is from inhaling the vapors, not from touching or swallowing it. Serious effects are not likely after a broken thermometer, but call the Missouri Poison Center for clean-up assistance at 1-800-222-1222.  The poison center is open all day, every day for poisoning emergencies and questions, too.

Take The Missouri Poison Center With You

Emergencies don’t wait for you, so you shouldn’t have to wait to call for help. Get the Missouri Poison Center app with poison information and a link to the Poison Help Line. It is just a click away during the most stressful moments. Our registered nurses and pharmacists are here 24/7/365 days a year to help guide you through poison exposures and overdose emergencies.

Don’t wait. Download now.

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