The invention provides for a magnetic resonance imaging system (100 300) for acquiring magnetic resonance data (142) from a subject (118) within an imaging zone (108). The magnetic resonance imaging system comprises a magnetic resonance imaging antenna (113 113 ) comprising multiple loop antenna elements (114 114 ) with multiple infrared thermometry sensors (115 115 ). The magnetic resonance imaging antenna is configured for being positioned adjacent to an external surface (119) of the subject and at least a portion of the multiple infrared thermometry sensors are directed towards the external surface. The magnetic resonance imaging system further comprises a memory (134 136) containing machine executable instructions (150 152) and pulse sequence instructions (140). The machine executable instructions causes a processor controlling the system to: acquire (200) the magnetic resonance data by controlling the magnetic resonance imaging system with the pulse sequence instructions repeatedly (202) measure at least one surface temperature (146) of the subject with the multiple infrared thermometry sensors during acquisition of the magnetic resonance data and perform (204) a predefined action if the at least one surface temperature is above a predefined temperature.
