Infrared thermometers measure temperature from a distance, using the infrared radiation emitted by all objects. These so-called non-contact thermometers make a wide variety of temperature measurement and monitoring activities accessible to school-age students. Portable hand-held sensors also enable new or simplified investigations to be carried out with quick and easy measurements. Following thermal footprints is a simple but engaging activity for students: finding out which seat was occupied recently, which cup was filled with a hot drink and which with a cold drink, which car was being driven a short time ago and so on. Nevertheless, introducing and explaining infrared thermometry in schools is not trivial. To this end an introduction with four steps is proposed. (Contains 1 table and 15 figures.)