Alert over unreliable thermometers sold on high street

Three popular street thermometers are not showing the correct temperature, it was claimed today.

Consumer group Which? tested the accuracy of five digital gadgets and found they could be off by nearly 1C.

Options from Boots, Beaba, and Beurer returned readings that led users to believe they were cooler than they actually were.

Which?, which published the list of ‘Don’t Buy’ thermometers, has warned this could delay ailing Britons from seeking medical help for their child’s fever.

The worst performing device recorded temperatures 0.7C cooler than the actual reading.

According to international standards, thermometers are allowed to deviate by 0.3C.

Boots Bluetooth-enabled non-contact thermometer, £55

Boots’ Bluetooth-enabled non-contact thermometer works using infrared technology to detect heat radiation from the forehead.

Which? tested this thermometer 44 times at 11 temperatures and found that the results it displayed were an average of 0.7C too cool.

The Consumer Champion warned: ‘With the fever warning system in this thermometer set to go off when temperatures of 37.5°C or higher are recorded, this inaccuracy means your child could have a feverish temperature, but you won’t be prepared for it. warned.

“This could potentially delay you from seeking medical attention.”

Beurer FT 95 non-contact thermometer, £40

The Beurer FT 95 non-contact thermometer is identical to Boots’ Bluetooth-enabled non-contact thermometer.

The specs of the two are identical, but this device is £15 cheaper.

Since it’s the same device, but in a different package, this thermometer is just as inaccurate.

Beaba Thermospeed infrared ear and forehead thermometer, £50

The Beaba Thermospeed infrared ear and forehead thermometer uses an infrared sensor to measure temperature without touching the skin.

Which? also tested this device 44 times at 11 temperature points and found that the stated temperatures were an average of 0.38C too cold.

During the investigation, Which? researchers put all devices in a test mode, which allows them to be tested accurately against the official standard.

Natalie Hitchins, head of household products and services at Which?, said: ‘If you or a loved one are feeling unwell it’s important to be able to rely on thermometers that give an accurate temperature reading, but unfortunately Which? tests have found devices falling short on this front.

“We recommend that consumers avoid the digital thermometers we’ve labeled as Don’t Buys and instead opt for models that can better identify a high temperature that may require medical attention.”

Which? researches and compares products to advise people on the best buying options.

As well as not buying the thermometers it identified, it also urged the British to look for a ‘CE’ or ‘UKCA’ (UK Conformity Assessed) mark on any digital thermometer.

The required mark is confirmation that the manufacturer has checked that the product meets all safety, health and environmental requirements and complies with EU legislation.

A missing mark does not mean that a product is unreliable or unsafe, but it should be regarded as a warning sign.

In response to the findings of Which? said a Boots spokesman: ‘At Boots we take the quality of our products very seriously and all of our products are subject to compliance, performance and safety checks before they go on sale.

“We are confident in the quality of Boots’ Bluetooth-enabled non-contact thermometer and want to assure our customers that our testing is very robust.”

A spokesperson for Beauer said: ‘We can confirm that the Beurer FT 95 thermometer has been manufactured and tested in accordance with British and European standards. It also complies with the EU Medical Device Directive, the German Medical Device Act and is registered with the UK MHRA.

“This product has been 100 percent tested in production and calibrated to the correct specifications. Our tests, ie under a strictly controlled environment, prove that the product meets the specifications as published.’

In response to the findings of Which? Beaba explained that they are now double-checking accuracy at many laboratories across the continent.

Beaba said: ‘Our thermometers are tested to the highest standard in accordance with UK and European accuracy and safety requirements.

“We recognize that in testing, Which? appear to have a discrepancy in their measurements and we are already investigating and double checking the accuracy with numerous accredited laboratories in Europe and the UK.

“Beaba is committed to maintaining the high quality of their products and supporting customer service.”