Paramedic’s advice after mum complains about Kmart bath toy: 'Go with your gut'

A concerned mum has issued a warning to parents, demonstrating how thermometers can produce vastly different readings in a child’s bath. She took a photo showing a duck bath thermometer, purchased from Kmart, alongside a digital thermometer – and the results left her questioning the accuracy of both.

"I double-checked this temperature duck myself against a digital thermometer tonight after my 4-year-old complained yesterday about the water feeling burning when the duck said 37.5°C," the mum shared on social media. "It appears he was right. I hope no babies have been scalded."

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In the ensuing debate, parents shared their personal methods for checking bathwater temperature, with one saying, "I always go with my gut instinct and the wrist test for my little one," while another mentioned: "I’ve always used my elbow to check the water."

Some parents suggested that the discrepancy might be due to the thermometer picking up ambient temperature, leading to a cooler reading.

Others speculated that how deeply the thermometer is placed could affect the results, noting that the surface level of the water might be slightly cooler than deeper levels.

A paramedic weighs in

To shed light on this issue, Yahoo Lifestyle consulted Kathryn Mason, paramedic and founder of Safe Sprouts First Aid.

Mason explained that the differences in readings could be attributed to the distinct ways these thermometers measure temperature.

"While both thermometers could be accurate within their own specifications, several factors might explain the discrepancies in the mum's photo," she said.

"The black thermometer is a general-use thermometer, not a medical one, with an accuracy of within 1 degree. This means it could be measuring 1 degree higher than the actual water temperature.

"In contrast, the duck thermometer has an accuracy within 0.5 degrees, but it could be reading slightly lower. The black thermometer also measures deeper in the water, where it might be warmer by 0.3 degrees."

So, could this temperature difference pose a real risk? According to Mason, neither thermometer may be entirely wrong.

"Both are likely falling within their accuracy ranges. Given the duck thermometer’s narrower accuracy range, I’d consider its reading closer to the actual bath temperature."

What parents need to know

Mason emphasised that while bath thermometers can be helpful, they aren’t always necessary.

"Testing the water with your wrist or elbow is perfectly fine," she advised. "However, for younger infants or newborns, a bath thermometer can be especially useful, as they are more sensitive to temperature changes."

Mason also warned against relying on high-end thermometers for checking fevers, stating: "The digital probe thermometers available for under $20 are the most accurate for infants under 3 months.

"Expensive infrared thermometers are often unreliable and inaccurate."

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For some parents, traditional methods still reign supreme. As one commenter put it: "I never trusted these gadgets — I've always had to double-check, just for this reason."

In the end, Mason reassured parents that the Kmart duck thermometer is safe for bath-time use.

"I want everyone to feel confident that these bath thermometers are perfectly adequate, especially for sensitive little ones."

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