Are Laser Pens Dangerous?

Potentially.  But only in the wrong hands. Most people's ideas about lasers are referenced to the James Bond film where 007 has an eye-wateringly uncomfortable encounter with one at the hands of arch villain, Goldfinger.

Laser pens, in common with other laser devices like laser levels and laser pointing devices, can cause accidents and injury if not used properly in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines.

The main danger with a laser pen is not your strides, but the eyes. The light source that is emitted by a laser pen is, believe it or not, around a million times brighter than a domestic light bulb. It's easy to appreciate that damage to the eyes is a real possibility.

To avoid accidents and injury with laser pens, do the following:

• Read the instructions carefully

• Never look or shine the beam directly at anyone

• Do not let children use a laser pen

• Ensure the laser beam will not reflect off surfaces such as mirrors or glass

• Always buy a pressure activated laser pen to avoid the beam being left on for long periods