Goggles Necessary for 5mW Green Laser?

[QuackMasterDan]

I am about to begin my first laser spirograph and am concerned about the safety of my eyes and those of anyone viewing my project.

The spirograph will be left on 24/7 lighting up one of the walls in my house, powered by a 5mW 532nm laser with three mirrors. I have purchased my laser from http://www.bestofferbuy.com/5mw-powerful-green-laser-pointer-pen-p-110.html. I do not believe that the laser has an IR filter (made in china and cheap) and do not understand how IR radiation is a problem if I am not looking directly into the beam.

The spirograph will be in a closed box with only the pattern leaving through an acrylic plate.

1) Do I need to purchase goggles for safety even with a mere 5mW green laser?
2) Is there a danger in having this spirograph displayed in my house 24/7?
3) How great is the danger of the spirograph with IR radiation?

 

[LaserHead]

1: 5mw is not powerful enough to severly hurt your eye or blind you (especially that laser ) unless your really stupid. I dont recomend glasses.

2:Yes there is a danger. there is always a danger, but as long as everyone knows its there and you keep kids/pets away from it, you should be fine.

3: IR from a 5mw laser is nothing to be worried about.

TIP: that laser is problbly giving you 1-2mw. If you want real good 5mw lasers than buy from LaserGlow.

BTW: i dont think that laser is going to last that long without a change of batterires once in a few hours. Also, if you plan to get a high powered laser, i recomend goggles. buy them from NovaLasers

 

[randomlugia]

Depending on the size of your house, the spirograph will be barely visable even at 5mW. If the picture was only 5 feet across, yes at night, but I'm pretty sure the side your house is bigger than 5x5. Plus you wouldn't be able to see it well from a distance. I would reccomend getting a ~50mW laser from either DX or skylasers.net (with the DX one you would need an IR filter). If the side of your house is big enough, you wouldn't need safety goggles (unless you get hit in the eye) because the picture wouldn't be bright enough to cause damage.

Hope this helped, and the batteries probably would die in a few hours. Give it 12 volts and limit the current. Ps. Don't bother doing it in the daylight, it's just not bright enough.