It doesn't matter the weather or what time of day it happens—a broken window is a stressful situation. Not only does it impact the security of your home, but the inconvenience can be frustrating. However, there is usually no need to panic, and a few simple bits of advice can help.

If you have children or pets, the first thing you will want to do is make sure they can’t enter the room. Use a pair of gloves to pick up the larger pieces of glass and do so with care. Sweep up around the area and empty everything into an old newspaper. You should then use a vacuum cleaner or broom and moist cloth, depending on the flooring type, to make sure there are no small pieces remaining in the area. Reversed ducktape that is pressed lightly against the floor can also pick up tiny fragments if done carefully. 

Using a blunt object such as a hammer, remove the remaining glass still in the frame. If you do not feel confident that you can do so safely, leave this to a professional.

In many circumstances, your window company may not be available immediately, such as the middle of the night or at very short notice. If this is the case, then you will want to make sure your home is not at the mercy of the elements, and also add a layer of security.

Using a trash bag and any form of tape you may have in your home (masking tape is useful for this), cover the frame. This is where it can be advisable to remove the glass as we previously mentioned.

If you are particularly concerned about security, then you can use any scrap wood you might have around and nail it to the frame. Do so on the inside of the home as it is a safer option. Also, you can still secure your home from the elements by taping a trash bag around the wood.

Taking photos of the damaged window can help with any claim you may choose to make. They may require that you use one of their approved companies in your area to make the repairs, so speak to them before you contact a company yourself.

When your home has a broken window, you will want the repairs to be made as soon as possible. Also, you want to make sure that they are done by a professional. Search for a company with a solid reputation in your area that is licensed and bonded, such as C&D Bronx Roofers.

Whoever you use, a replacement window should be using the latest materials to secure your home further and be installed by expert hands. Knowing that you have an expert team working on your home, makes the whole stressful process a lot easier.