What to Do When You Have a Broken Window: An Emergency Guide
4 May 2026 · 5 min read
A smashed window is stressful — but the first few steps matter for your safety and your insurance. Here's a calm, practical checklist.
First, make sure everyone is safe
Broken glass is sharp and unpredictable. Keep children and pets well away from the area, and put on sturdy shoes before going near any fragments. If the window was broken in a break-in, do not touch anything more than necessary — your insurer and the police may need the scene left as it is.
If glass has fallen both inside and outside, deal with the inside first where people are most likely to walk, then the outside.
Make the area secure
An open window or door is an invitation to the weather and to opportunists. If it is safe to do so, board over the opening with a sheet of plywood or thick cardboard and strong tape as a temporary measure. This is exactly what an emergency boarding-up service does properly, with secure fixings, if you would rather not attempt it yourself.
Never try to remove large shards still held in the frame with bare hands — they can give way suddenly. Leave that to a glazier with the right gloves and tools.
Document everything for your insurance
Before any glass is cleared or replaced, take clear photographs of the damage from several angles. If it was a break-in or vandalism, report it to the police and note the crime reference number — most home insurance policies require this for a glazing claim.
Keep the written quote and invoice from your glazier. A reputable company provides these as standard, which makes claiming straightforward.
When to call an emergency glazier
Call straight away if the window is ground-floor or accessible, if it affects a door, or if bad weather is forecast. A good emergency glazing service operates 24 hours a day, aims to attend quickly, and will make the property secure first before arranging permanent glass replacement once the correct unit is available.
If you are unsure, it costs nothing to ask. We never charge a call-out fee to attend and quote, so you can get professional eyes on the problem without committing to anything.
Related Services We Offer
Need a Glazier?
Free written quotes, no call-out fee, and a workmanship guarantee on every job — anywhere in the UK.