Laser Cutting Safety: How to Prevent Fires and Protect Your Workspace

Laser cutters are incredible tools that allow makers, crafters, and small business owners to bring their ideas to life with precision. Whether you're engraving intricate designs or slicing through materials like wood, acrylic, or leather, lasers use a highly concentrated beam of light to “burn” through your medium. But with all that power comes responsibility — especially when it comes to fire safety.

Why Fire Safety Matters with Lasers

The laser beam can generate extremely high temperatures. If not handled correctly, the heat from cutting or engraving can cause the material inside your machine to ignite. A fire can seriously damage your laser cutter and — if left unchecked — spread beyond the machine and threaten your workspace or home.

That’s why it’s absolutely crucial to stay alert every time your machine is in use.

Always Stay Within Sight

Never leave your laser cutter unattended while it's operating. Even if you're doing a "quick cut," fires can start in seconds. Make it a habit to stay in the same room and regularly check inside the machine while it’s running.

A small flame, similar to a candle, may appear where the laser is actively cutting — that’s normal. But it should always stay small and move along with the laser head. If flames linger in one place, flare up, or spread, that’s a red flag.

Watch Out for Flammable Materials

Some materials are more prone to ignition than others. One surprising culprit? Masking material. The protective tape or film covering your project can be more flammable than the material itself.

This is especially true when using diode lasers to cut acrylic. Diode lasers tend to generate more localized heat, increasing the risk. For best results:

• Remove masking from acrylic before cutting.

• Use a thin layer of dish soap on the surface to help reduce scorching or discoloration during the process.

Be Prepared: Essential Fire Safety Supplies

Even with every precaution, it’s important to be prepared. Keep these items within arm’s reach every time you run your machine:

• Fire Blanket – Quick and clean, ideal for smothering small flames without leaving a mess.

• Fire Extinguisher – A must-have for emergencies. Be aware: traditional extinguishers can leave behind a chemical residue that may be difficult to clean or could damage your equipment. Look for extinguishers with non-toxic, biodegradable solutions as a safer option.

What to Do if a Fire Starts

If a fire does occur, stay calm and act quickly — but only if it’s safe to do so.

1. Unplug the machine.

2. Use a fire blanket to smother the flames if the fire is small and contained.

3. Deploy a fire extinguisher as the next step if the fire grows or doesn’t subside.

4. If the fire spreads or the situation becomes unsafe, evacuate the area immediately and call emergency services.

Final Tip: Fire safety may not be the most glamorous part of laser cutting, but it's one of the most important. Taking just a few moments to prepare and monitor your work can prevent costly damage — and potentially save lives.

Stay safe and keep creating!

Sherry Shine has a good YouTube video about laser fire safety. Here is a link to it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMQK2nWC3x4