What’s the risk of broken glass? The Big 5 Threats that could affect your family.
With the dreaded August winds arriving early this year, Brisbane and the Gold Coast have been experiencing strong gusty winds on and off for several weeks already. Normally known for their cold presence around the Ekka in Brisbane every year, the blowy south easterly winds known as the ‘devil winds’ by surfers, have been in full force since mid July. With these strong winds comes the potential for broken glass. But just how risky is a small break in a glass window? Or that crack on the edge of the coffee table?
1- DANGER – Well it turns out – small cracks, breaks and fractures in glass pose serious risks. It stands to reason that the person most likely to be injured by broken glass is the person handling it. However, we need to remember anyone around you when the glass eventually gives way is likely to be injured too. When assessing potential dangers in and around your home and office, glass is considered as a ‘likely’ suspect. The problem with this ‘likely’ potential is the severity of the possible injuries, taking this likely danger and turning it into severe or even extreme danger. Add little delicate feet or precious paws to the equation and we are going from a potential threat to serious consequences to our family and co-workers from that little cracked piece of glass.
2- COSTLY – A simple crack in your window pane can add extra costs we don’t need on our energy bills. Our weather may be quite mild here in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, but to the acclimatised local, those chilly mornings can be felt in your bones. We can especially feel the cold if there is a draft coming through some cracked glass window panes. Better to replace a broken panel than outlay hundreds of dollars in heating bills.
3- CREEPY CRAWLIES – Anyone growing up in Australia knows you don’t need a welcoming party to find unwanted guests sneaking into the house. Ants, cockroaches, flies, wasps and all sorts of creepy crawlies love to make our house their home. So that small hole or crack in the window is enough to get more unwanted guests than an open bar at a 21st! So it’s worth saving yourself the heartache of more costly pest control bills and just replace a broken or cracked glass window as soon as it breaks. Prevention is always better than cure.
4- THEFT – While we are talking about unwanted guests, it is better to offer your family the best protection you can and broken glass can be seen as potential entry points into your home by criminals. We know that thieves are usually looking for easy targets, so don’t put your family at risk and make yourselves targets of crime. A cracked or broken window could be just the invitation someone needs to create complete chaos in your life – it’s not worth the risk.
5- PROPERTY VALUE – There is no time like the present to protect the value of your home. With our beautiful corner of the world attracting the attention of all the southerners and the prices of our family homes growing daily in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, it’s vitally important to protect the value of our biggest asset – our home. Even small breaks and cracks in glass windows, shower doors and mirrors can detract from the beauty of our homes and their value to potential buyers. Remember to fix or repair broken glass as soon as possible. What may seem a harmless crack or chip could cost you your family’s safety, security and peace of mind.
So what do you do if that small crack turns into something more serious and you haven’t called the experts in to repair or replace the broken glass? Let’s help you here too with some hints from the safety specialists –
1- EXERCISE CAUTION – The experts say – Safety first! Consider your surroundings and get children, pets and others in danger out of the way and into a safe area of the house or yard where they can’t touch or be affected by the glass. We would say call an emergency glass repairer now! 24/7 emergency repair companies like GlassNow have all the tools and equipment necessary to clear the area in an emergency. Expert glaziers can replace the glass on the spot or at the very least offer your family strong and trusted solutions until the glass can be replaced.
2- DON’T TOUCH – Never try to handle the broken glass with bare hands. This is just a recipe for trouble and more potential risks. If you have cut resistant gloves, it is possible to use these to clear away the large pieces. If possible, use forceps, tongs, or a scoop to clean up an accident zone from immediate danger. Your household dustpan and brush can clean up small shards, but be warned, those little glass splinters can get caught up in the bristles and come loose unknowingly for many uses to come. So you might want to be willing to throw that dustpan and brush away after a glass clean up or give it a good clean with water while your cut resistant gloves are still on to ensure all the little fragments are gone.
3- CALL THE EXPERTS – Did we already say this? 😉 Well, we mean it. There are times when close enough is good enough. But when it comes to glass, it’s no time to take that risk. Call in the professionals who can handle these situations with confidence, knowledge and ease. Rest assured that not only can they help protect your family and clear the area of damage, they’ll be able to replace your broken glass too. This means you can get back to doing what you do best and go and enjoy your family.
Worst case scenario, if you actually do get caught in an accident around glass and are injured, please seek professional medical help.
1- CALL AN AMBULANCE – if the injuries are serious, please seek medical help immediately. Broken glass and wounds can become serious FAST! Stay calm and call 000 and follow their advice over the phone until they can arrive and assist in person.
2- SMALL INJURIES – if shards of glass have created a small wound, it is suggested that you gently encourage bleeding around the area. Do not massage or force blood out, but allow blood to slowly seep from the small wound which can encourage any small splinters of glass to leave with the blood.
3- WASH THE WOUND – Our first aid experts always recommend clean soapy water to wash small wounds as soon as possible. So wash the area thoroughly with warm or cold soapy water and please seek medical advice if the wound continues to bleed or becomes inflamed, infected or even itchy while healing. Small shards of glass can potentially get caught under the skin, so best to have any glass wounds checked by a medical professional.
So how risky is that broken, cracked or chipped window – VERY! The potential for danger is not worth the trouble. Call our emergency repair specialists at GlassNow today and save yourself the heartache of any of the above risks. A quick repair or replacement glass panel is the stitch that saved nine…
Our team of qualified glaziers work within compliance of Australian Standard (AS1288). Work is carried out by experienced glaziers on the Gold Coast and Brisbane, who can either install standard designs or custom a look to suit your home or business.
