Broken Window? Here's What to Do First

Published 2026-06-29

A window breaking is one of those moments where five minutes of clear thinking beats an hour of scrambling. Whether a storm blew a branch through the sash or a kid's baseball found the picture window, the priorities are the same: keep people safe, secure the opening, and get a glazier scheduled.

Step 1 — Keep People and Pets Away

Move everyone, especially kids and pets, out of the room. Broken glass travels farther than most people expect — small chips can end up ten feet from the window. Do not walk barefoot anywhere in the room until it is fully cleaned up.

Step 2 — Handle the Loose Glass Safely

Put on thick work gloves and shoes with a stiff sole. Pick up the big pieces first and put them in a rigid container — a cardboard box works. Vacuum small shards from the floor and windowsill. A slice of bread or a lint roller picks up the tiny slivers a vacuum leaves behind.

If any glass is still stuck in the frame and looks unstable, leave it in place until the glazier arrives rather than risk pulling it out and cutting yourself.

Step 3 — Board and Weatherproof the Opening

Cover the opening with cardboard, plywood, or heavy plastic taped tightly to the frame. In a Pennsylvania winter, blowing rain and cold air can do real damage inside in a few hours — furniture, drywall, and hardwood floors are easier to protect than to repair. Taping over remaining cracked glass also keeps it from falling later.

Step 4 — Call a Local Glass Shop

Call us at (901) 256-3101, describe what broke, and send a photo if you can. In many cases we can measure and board the same day and have replacement glass in shortly after. For emergencies at night or on weekends, mention that up front. More on our emergency response is at /door-glass-repair and /window-glass-replacement.

Step 5 — Document for Insurance

If the break came from a storm, break-in, or a neighbor's tree, take photos before you clean up. Homeowners insurance often covers glass, minus the deductible. Save receipts from any temporary materials — plywood, tarp, tape — since those are usually reimbursable too.