The Red Light Therapy Safety Checklist Before Every Session

Published October 2026. Updated October 2026.

Why a checklist beats good intentions

Most safety problems with home devices are boring ones. A cord that got pinched behind a door, a panel that slid off a shelf, a timer nobody set, a dog that wandered in. None of these need expert knowledge to avoid. They need a habit. A checklist turns the habit into thirty seconds.

This page is general information about using a light device sensibly. It does not say what a session will do for you, and it does not replace your device manual. Where the manual and this page differ, follow the manual. If you have a medical question of any kind, speak to a qualified professional before you start.

The 60 second pre session checklist

Run through these in order. The first three take a few seconds once you know what to look for.

1. Look at the device. Check the housing for cracks, loose parts, discolored plastic or anything that rattles. Check the lens or LED face is not visibly damaged.
2. Look at the cord and plug. Run your eye along the cord. Look for kinks, cuts, bare spots and a plug that is loose in the outlet. Do not use a device with a damaged cord.
3. Check the outlet and power. Plug straight into a wall outlet where you can. If you need a power strip, use one in good shape that is not already carrying other heavy loads.
4. Check the vents. If your device has air vents or a fan, make sure nothing is blocking them and that they are not clogged with dust.
5. Set it up stable. A stand should be fully open and on a flat floor. A hanging panel should be on a secure hook with the rope or kit used as the manual shows. Never balance a panel on a pile of things.
6. Set the distance. Use the distance your manual or product page gives. Our distance chart shows how the stated numbers change with distance.
7. Eye protection. Use eye protection as the manual directs. The FX500 product page lists goggles in the box. Check your own product page and box contents for what came with your device, and if you are unsure, read the manual before you start and ask us.
8. Skin check. Start with clean, dry skin. Take off anything the manual says to take off. Be aware of anything on the skin that could react to light, and see the note on medications below.
9. Timer. Set the timer before you sit down. Use the session length from your manual. Our session time table shows the arithmetic, and the dose calculator helps you check it.
10. Household. Make sure children and pets will not wander in front of the light or pull the cord while you are in a session.

The same list as a table

During the session

You do not need to watch the device, but stay close enough to react.

• Stay awake. If you tend to doze, set a second alarm on your phone.
• Keep the cord out of walkways.
• Do not cover the device or its vents with a towel or blanket.
• If the device feels hotter than you expect, or you smell anything unusual, stop, unplug and let it cool. Our main safety guide covers what to do next.
• If you feel uncomfortable for any reason, end the session. You never owe a session its full length.

After the session

1. Switch off and unplug if the device will not be used again that day.
2. Let it cool before moving it or folding a stand.
3. Wipe the surface only as the manual says, and only when the device is off and unplugged.
4. Store the goggles somewhere clean, not loose on the floor.

Medications and sensitivity

Some people take medications that make skin react to light, and some people are simply light sensitive. We cannot tell you whether that applies to you. Our note on photosensitizing medications explains why it is worth asking. The right person to ask is a pharmacist, a doctor or another qualified professional who knows your situation.

What an FDA reference does and does not tell you

The FDA's page on laser products explains that LEDs are different from laser diodes and sit outside the federal laser performance standard. That is a regulatory fact about product classes. It does not mean a bright LED is comfortable to stare at, which is why the eye protection step stays on the list. The FDA's general wellness policy covers how the agency handles low risk wellness products, and it is a policy document rather than a safety certificate for any particular device.

If a device ever behaves in a way that worries you, the FDA explains how consumers can report a device problem through its MedWatch program. We would also like to hear about it through our contact page.

Common mistakes

• Skipping the cord check because it worked yesterday. Cords get damaged between sessions.
• Plugging a panel into a crowded power strip alongside a heater or other heavy load.
• Standing a panel on an unstable surface at the wrong height and then leaning on it.
• Starting without setting the timer, then drifting off.
• Assuming eye protection is optional because the light does not look harsh.
• Draping a towel over vents to keep light off a pet.
• Using the checklist once and then never again. The point is the habit.

Before you use any light device: read the label, follow the device manual, and use eye protection as directed. Speak to a qualified professional before use if you have any medical question, take medications, are pregnant, or have light sensitivity.

Related guides in this series

• The full safety guide: side effects, contraindications and honest guidance
• Eye protection and goggles
• Using a device beyond its manual
• How long a session runs, by the manual
• A buyer's checklist for home devices

Device pages

Read the full page and label for each device before you use it: AWA FX300 panel, AWA FX500 panel. You can also browse AWA panels.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to run a checklist every time?

Yes, but it gets quick. After a few sessions most people do it in under a minute without thinking about it.

Do I need eye protection with a panel?

Use eye protection as your device manual directs. The FX500 product page lists goggles in the box, so check your own product page and box contents for other devices. Our guide on eye protection explains the reasoning.

What should I do if the cord looks damaged?

Stop using the device, unplug it if it is safe to do so, and contact support. Do not repair a cord yourself.

Is it fine to leave the panel running while I do something else?

We suggest staying nearby and awake. Set a timer so the session ends on schedule, and keep the cord and vents clear.

Where do I report a problem with a device?

Contact us through the contact page first. The FDA also explains how consumers can report device problems through MedWatch.

Sources

• FDA: Laser Products and Instruments. Describes laser hazard classes I to IV and notes that LEDs are different from laser diodes and fall outside the federal laser product performance standard.
• FDA: General Wellness policy for low risk devices. Guidance explaining how the agency applies its compliance policy to low risk general wellness products. It is a policy document, not a statement about any one device.
• FDA: How to report a medical device problem. Explains that consumers can report a device problem through MedWatch, the FDA voluntary safety reporting program, online or by mail or fax.

Regulatory note: select devices carry FDA 510(k) clearance for specific, limited uses; most are sold as general wellness products. Read each product page and label.