There are many potential causes of broken glass, whether at a commercial business premises or on a vehicle. These include accidents, vandalism, natural disasters, damaged glass, and internal defects. For example, a child may accidentally hit a baseball through a glass window, a thief may break a glass door to gain entry to a property, or debris may fly directly into a glass window during a storm.
If you have broken glass to deal with, it is essential that you do so without delay. This is because there are many broken glass dangers, such as a health and safety risk, risk of theft, and reduced energy efficiency.
In this blog post, your expert team at the S. Albert Glass Company will take a closer look at these broken glass dangers. Let’s get started.
Health and Safety Risk
Broken glasses can cause serious injuries to humans and animals. When someone touches broken glass, the sharp edges can easily cut the skin, leading to painful injuries and potential infections. These cuts can also be deep enough to require stitches, which is both painful and inconvenient. Moreover, small glass shards can break off and become embedded in the skin, causing further injuries.
Stepping on broken glass is equally dangerous, as it can cause deep cuts and lacerations. When someone steps on a broken piece of glass, it can shatter into small fragments, creating even more sharp edges and increasing the risk of injury. The shards of glass can penetrate through the skin, causing pain, bleeding, and swelling. If the injury is deep enough, it may require a tetanus shot to prevent the risk of tetanus infection.
The danger of broken glass is even more pronounced when young children or pets are around. Children and animals may not be aware of the risks of broken glass and may accidentally step on it or pick up shards, leading to severe injuries. In addition, broken glass poses a significant risk to customers in business environments. If a customer injures themselves on a broken glass, the business owner may be held liable, leading to legal and financial consequences.
Risk of Theft
Generally, a thief does not require an invitation into a business. However, they may be put off by a property that appears well-protected. A broken or cracked glass window or door is a potential entry point for a thief, especially if the glass is facing the street or is visible from the road.
It is not enough to simply cover the broken glass with a sheet. The broken window or door should be professionally repaired as soon as possible to deter any would-be thieves.
Reduces Energy Efficiency
Energy prices have skyrocketed in the United States and across the world. A properly insulated home can help to reduce your business’ monthly energy costs. However, if there is broken or cracked glass, then the property’s overall energy efficiency is reduced.
According to the Department of Energy, heat loss and heat gain through windows are responsible for up to 30% of residential cooling and heating energy use. If you have a broken or cracked window and notice that your energy bill for the past month has risen, this is the likely cause.
The Dangers of Not Repairing Broken Glass
The bottom line is that, given the number of broken glass dangers that exist, you should schedule swift and professional repairs from a local glass repair service as soon as you can.
Here in the Washington, DC area, your premier glass repair company is the S. Albert Glass Company. We provide 24/7 glass repair services. Contact our expert team today to schedule repairs.