Eye damage from barcode scanner - AIBU??

[Whiterabbit88]

I think I am overly worrying about this…
out shopping today with DS who loves playing shops and helps to scan items at self service tills. We were at a store where the tills have ‘gun’ style barcode scanner which he demanded to have control off. He was happily scanning the barcodes for the items and whilst I briefly had to check something in the trolley I caught him holding the scanner to his face. I believe he had it up to his eyes (which he denies) but it was there or pretty damn close. He hasn’t complained of any issues but now I’m worried he’s done some damage and I should have been paying more attention. Are these scanners laser or just red light? AIBU? I know they aren’t toys and he shouldn’t have been using it. Thanks for any comments in advance

They can't do any damage

I was worried they were similar to a laser light but literally have no idea!

I know they aren’t toys and he shouldn’t have been using it. Then why did you let him use it??? How old is he?

They are not lasers, its just light

Barcode scanners emit red light in the form of a Class 2 diode laser, but they are generally not powerful enough to damage eyes. However it is recommended not to look directly at the red light for more than ten seconds. If your son does not complain of any visual disturbance such as dark spots, hazy vision or increased sensitivity to light he is fine.

How old is he? Is he old enough to understand your questions if you ask whether his vision is affected in some way?

What @LauderSyme said.
I'm a H&S professional with qualifications in laser safety. These things are assessed as safe to use at checkouts where there will be members of the public. We're protected by our blink reflex and it would be very difficult to direct the beam into your open eye for long enough to do damage. It's very very unlikely he's damaged himself and if he had, he'd know something was up because his vision would be affected.
Lesson learned I'm sure - never let kids play with things like this, they are there to be used by adults!

He’ll be fine

Don’t worry he will be absolutely fine and I totally understand your worry. I overthink things as well and it’s not easy xx

I work in a supermarket and we frequently get customers managing to get the red lights shining in our eyes as they try to scan them onto the checkout. None of us appear to have any eye damage as a result.

Her DS ‘ demanded ‘ to use it.
She had no choice, obviously.

@SM4713 exactly that! He usually scans the shopping where the scanner is built into the till. He is 5 and I have been asking him if he definitely scanned it into his eyes or not and if he’s noticed anny issues. I honestly think it was a matter of seconds before I noticed he had it directed at his head! Thankyou for all the comments - I definitely won’t be letting him use these again!

Yes @Nikki360 i have totally over thought it and got myself into a panic!

What I’d like to know is, when he scanned himself, did you get a message telling you to check for unknown item in the bagging area?

“He demanded to have control of” 😳😬

Really?

@Soontobe60 ha ha!