Some safety questions

[Skate3352]

Hello, i will be buying my first green laser shortly, and I have a few questions about my eye safety while using the laser.
I'm going to buy a Hulk Ultra 400mW from Dragon Lasers, along with their safety glasses. They say that ther 532nm glasses are OD4, but is that true, and are they good quality glasses?
Also, are OD4 good enough for a 400mW green laser?
And as I read more and more about safety with lasers, the more I got confused. Say im indoors, with safety glasses, and i'm burning matches. Can I safely look at the laser dot and where i'm burning the matches at?
Another main reason i'm into lasers is that i'd love to point it at the sky and stars. While i'm doing this at night, do I need to wear safety glasses?
One thing, i have not ever owned a high powered laser( nothing more than the one at the store. So is there anything I should know? )
Thank you for answering all of my questions, i'm a newbie. :yh:

 

[alf638]

Wow, that is an expensive first laser. Dragon lasers is top quality and their safety glasses will be fine. If you have glasses on then it is fine to look at the dot, even when burning.
When pointing at night you do not need safety glasses as with even the most powerful lasers you will never see the beam while wearing good quality glasses (if you can see it then you need better glasses), just don't point it at planes, avoid hitting things as the dot can be harmful to the unprotected eye and be very careful.
Welcome to the forum, stay safe and have fun.

 

[Antoniio]

And NEVER, never, never, underestimate the lasers safety. Either day, or believe that it will not damage your eyes, any negligible reflecion CAN damage your eyes forever .
Neither, I wouldn't use this powerful laser in a closed room, it's can be really dangerous, because 400mw in a closed room, usually painted white, reflected light is really really bright. It's like to see the sun, but close, roughly speaking. And never see the DOT refleted in a surface, and less on a shiny surface, because the light is veery bright!!

I think it is necessary to think and analyze space before pressing the switch, with this powerful lasers in your Hands.
but, Yeesss, can be really FUN if it be use with responsabilty. You know!

 

[alf638]

Exactly, Antoniio + rep for a great understanding of safety especially for a new member