7 Glass Safety Tips When Dealing with Broken Glass

It goes without saying that broken glass is more than just a mess. If you’re not careful, even the smallest piece can cause serious problems. Whether a window was shattered by a storm, your favorite water glass fell and exploded across your kitchen floor, or a mirror cracked during a move, it’s important to know how to safely handle and clean up broken glass to avoid injury and prevent further damage.

With that in mind, here are a few expert-approved glass safety tips everyone should know.

PLEASE NOTE: if you or someone you know has been injured by glass and this is an emergency, seek immediate help.

#1 - Keep the Area Clear

As soon as glass breaks, your first priority should be to keep people and pets safe. Clear the area immediately and block it off if needed. If you’re dealing with small transparent shards, be sure to block off a wide area since they can scatter far, especially across hard surfaces.

#2 - Protect Yourself Before You Begin Cleaning Up

Before you get to work cleaning up the glass, find some protective gear. Closed-toe shoes with thick soles, heavy-duty gloves, and protective eyewear (especially if glass is falling or dangling) are all good options to keep yourself safe. 

Whenever possible avoid handling the glass directly with bare hands, no matter its size or perceived dullness; depending on speed, angle, and size, glass can cut deep and quick or potentially embed itself, causing serious injuries.

#3 - Carefully Clean Up the Big Pieces

Whenever possible, use two hands to pick up the larger shards and place them in a thick container such as a cardboard box or plastic bin. You can also wrap them in multiple layers of newspaper before placing them in a trash bag for disposal. You don’t want to pour broken glass into a plastic bag all its own since glass can easily slice through it.

If you notice any pieces embedded in the window frame, walls, or other surfaces, do not force them out. Let a professional handle anything that requires tools or might compromise the surface or frame in question.

#4 - Use Tools for Tiny Shards and Slivers

Once the big pieces are taken care of, move on to the smaller shards and glass dust left behind. For those, you can use a broom and dustpan for hard floors, as well as duct tape or a damp paper towel to remove the finer particles.

For carpet, vacuum the area thoroughly and go over the area multiple times from different angles. Because broken glass can wreak havoc on vacuum hoses, bags, and other internals, a few ways to do this safely include:

• Using a shop vac or wet/dry vacuum on the lowest setting, going slowly over the area.

• Using a crevice tool or attachment to reach into the carpet to lift up glass pieces.

Once the area has been thoroughly cleaned, dispose of any vacuum bags or empty canisters immediately to avoid accidentally redistributing glass particles.

#5 - Double-Check the Surrounding Area

Glass – especially clear glass – can bounce off into unexpected spots, including under furniture, between floorboards, or even nearby rooms. Take a flashlight and inspect these areas as well as underneath baseboards and cabinets, inside shoes or nearby pet beds, and HVAC vents or floor grates.

#6 - Secure the Opening (if it’s a Door or Window)

If the break involves an exterior window or door, temporarily secure the space by using thick plastic sheeting (like painter’s tarp or even layered garbage bags), plywood boards, and tape and signage to make sure no one touches the area. This will keep out the weather and bugs while protecting the rest of the glass in the frame.

#7 - Call for Professional Help

Small accidents like a broken glass cup or casserole dish might be relatively easy to handle on your own. But for other issues such as cracked mirrors, broken windows with multiple panes, or glass embedded in places it definitely shouldn’t be, it might be time to call in a professional glazier.

At Glasscadia, we’re equipped and trained to safely remove, replace, and restore any kind of glass including residential windows, doors, mirrors, and more. If you’re dealing with broken glass, give yourself a break and let us take the stress (and danger) off your plate. Call us today for a fast, professional glass repair and cleanup consultation. Your safety is always our top priority.