If you're like most homeowners, you don't need a strategy for steps to take in the event that one of your windows is broken out by a home intruder -- you already know that the first step is to alert your local law enforcement agency. However, the path is less clear for those who have had windows broken due to an act of nature or an accident. Perhaps your children or neighbor children accidently break a window while playing ball in the yard, or maybe a windstorm blows down a tree branch and results in a broken window. Following are five things that you should in the event that the glass in one of your windows gets broken out by accident or due to an act of nature.
Remove Children and Pets From the Area
Children and pets should be removed from the area even the glass hasn't shattered and you don't see any shards on the ground or floor. Glass that has cracked may still fall, so it's best to err on the side of caution by making certain that kids and furry friends are out of harm's way.
Carefully Pick Up the Broken Glass
Using a pair of thick gloves, carefully pick up any larger pieces of broken glass that are lying around. Sweep up the shards that are too small to effectively pick up with your gloved hands. Several ways exist to safely remove the shards -- three or four layers of damp paper towels are probably the best option, although you can also use a potato, a slice of bread, or the sticky side of a piece of tape.
Take a Few Photos
It's always good to have photographic evidence of any type of damage that occurs in the home. It only takes a few seconds to take a couple of pictures with your phone to document the condition of your window after the glass was broken.
Call Your Homeowner's Insurance Agent
The average cost of a broken window is $254, so it pays to check with your insurance agent to see if the damage is covered under your policy. This may be an instance where the photos you took come in handy.
Cover the Window
Tack a towel, blanket, or other piece of fabric over the broken window while your waiting for the glass repair service to arrive. This will insects and perhaps even rodents from accessing your home interior.
Please don't hesitate to contact a glass repair service, such as K & W Glass Inc, for more tips and tricks on dealing with a broken window.