Thermometer Safety
You have to twist gently the laboratory thermometer and press it firmly, but don't use brute force when inserting a laboratory thermometer to a rubber stopper. If you could, put a drop of glycerin or other lubricant to make the laboratory thermometer slide more easily.
Considerations
You have to hold your hand with distance of less than 1 inch from the stopper to avoid exerting torque on the thermometer.
Types
Laboratory thermometer safety depends on the type of laboratory thermometer: broken alcohol thermometers and other non-mercurylaboratory thermometers only needs the same cleanup as any other broken glass. A broken mercury thermometer requires special cleaning procedures.
Warning
High school and college students should never try to clean up a mercury spill from a broken mercury laboratory thermometer; instead, tell your laboratory instructor, turn off any heat sources. Trained department staff will come to clean up the spill.
Mercury Spill Cleanup
Personnel responsible for cleaning up a mercury spill, according to Princeton, should wear protective clothing, gloves and goggles, and use index cards to sweep the contaminated material into a sealable jar. Never use a vacuum cleaner or sink. Label the jar, and deliver it to a hazardous waste facility.
