Safe Handling Practices

• Keep your laser off until ready for use. When operating a green laser, always be aware of where your laser is pointed. Green lasers can cause permanent eye damage, including possible blindness. (The point source of a laser can exceed the brightness of the sun.) Green lasers can also cause thermal burns if concentrated on a particular part of the body.
  
  

Laser Classification

• Lasers are classified by the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Devices and Radiological Health (FDA/CDRH) into four categories, depending on power and potential danger of injury. The higher the classification, the greater the hazard. Be aware of your green laser's classification.
  
  

Special Eye Considerations

• Eye protection is recommended when using a green laser. Beam reflections from windows or mirrors can also cause serious injury.
  
  

Infrared Filter

• When purchasing a green laser, determine if it is equipped with an infrared filter. An infrared filter slightly decreases the beam's intensity but prevents potentially dangerous infrared rays from accompanying the beam. Infrared light is invisible to the naked eye and can cause serious injury. IR filters are not mandatory but are recommended.
  
  

Manual Safeties

• Some green lasers are equipped with manual safeties. Generally the more powerful the laser, the greater the safety precautions. Safeties can include manually operated safety bars to prevent accidental discharge and key-activated safeties.