Can a Laser Pointer Start a Fire? The Surprising Answer!

Last Updated on Jan 26 2023

Perhaps your only encounters with a laser pointer are seeing someone use it during a presentation or a person teasing a cat with one. Even a small one has a relatively strong light. You probably know that a magnifying glass¹ can start a fire by concentrating sunlight onto an object. It might make you wonder if you can do the same thing with a laser pointer.

The short answer is yes, but you might not be able to try it out for yourself.

Laser Pointer Description

The term “laser” isn’t the name for the device but an acronym that describes its use. It means “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.” Hughes Aircraft¹ manufactured the first one in 1960. Laser pointers¹ offer a ready source of portable light using a lasing medium, an energy source, and a resonator.

The energy source provides the juice for the medium, creating the beam. The resonator concentrates the light. The ones you may have seen use DC power from batteries. Optics, a circuit board, and a laser diode are standard components of the ones you can buy for various uses.

Uses

The most common use for consumer products is a laser pointer for that purpose, whether it’s explaining a slide in a presentation or spotting an object in dim light. Hunters use modified versions to locate game. They also have applications in chemistry, physics, and medicine¹. For example, veterinarians use this technology for surgeries, like declawing.

You’re probably most familiar with lasers in entertainment for concerts and shows. They’re also essential for firearms and military applications. Laser pointers are also valuable as a survival tool to signal for help if you get injured or lost outdoors.

Visible Light Spectrum

The light emitted from a laser pointer can be visible or invisible. It may also vary during the day or night. The visible light spectrum includes wavelengths between 380 to 740 nanometers¹. Different values emit varying colors. For example, you’ll see red with devices with 638 and 650 nanometers. Green ones are usually 532 nanometers¹.

FDA Classes of Laser Pointers

Radiation in the acronym is a clue about the use of laser pointers and explains why the FDA stepped into the sale of these devices. Their power is expressed in milliwatts (mW). The agency¹ categorizes laser pointers into six classes:

You’ll also find products classified under the IEC 60825-1 standard¹ from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). It provides more specific safety information with warning labels to inform buyers about their risks, particularly regarding viewing and injury potential. They include:

Safety of Laser Pointers

The various classes reveal that lasers can cause fires but only with certain classes, hence, the classification and restricted use. The FDA prohibits¹ “Class IIIb lasers sold or promoted for pointing or amusement purposes.”

The main risks associated with laser pointers are temporary/permanent eye injuries, burns, and other safety hazards. That brings us to our next point, the legality of these devices.

The Legality of Laser Pointers

One of the main hazards with laser pointers is distracting the object of the beam. It could involve trying to sway a sports event or something more serious, such as diverting a pilot’s attention. The latter is against federal law. Unfortunately, it occurs far too often, despite this legal classification. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported 9,723 incidents in 2021¹, over a 40% increase from 2020.

Summing Up

Laser pointers are a diverse group of products. They offer consumer and professional benefits in a broad range of industries, from education to entertainment to medicine. However, risks underscore the technology’s value. Serious injuries remain high on the list. Yet, fire hazards are also on the radar. That’s because laser points can indeed start fires.

Featured Image Credit: Cucu Andrei Adrian, Shutterstock