Sometimes, something will happen that requires a rapid response and a quick repair. This could range from being locked out, to having a window broken (be it intentional or accidental) or having a lock forced open. At these times, it is important that any damage can be repaired as soon as possible, for both security and peace of mind.

If you have been burgled, the first thing on your mind is probably to change the locks, to ensure that your home will be secured with a new lock, with new keys. Most locksmiths will offer an emergency call out service, and can change your locks within an hour, providing you with keys so that any old keys become redundant. Locksmiths can work on either residential or commercial properties, and most locksmiths will also be able to repair electronic keypads, swipe cards and other digital locks. Some locksmiths will also be capable of opening car door locks, though in most cases will not be able to install a replacement lock.

Accidents happen, and sometimes these can result in a broken window. Or in some cases, opportunistic thieves will attempt to break in via a window. In either case, your first priority will be to replace the window. In some cases, simply boarding the window up will suffice in the short term, until a glazier can repair the window properly.

In many cases, you can board the window yourself using wood or cardboard (depending on strength) as well as duct tape or a strong bonding material. However, too strong or permanent a material will make removal difficult when it comes to replacing the glass, which should be done as soon as possible. However, replacing the glass in the window is probably best left to a professional, particularly where the window is double glazed.

Thankfully, storms in the UK are rare, however occasionally the country is affected by gale force winds, and even the occasional tornado! While these generally do little in the way of serious damage, homes can often find roof tiles and chimney pots missing, as well as fencing being blown down. In these cases, the repairs probably won't require immediate attention as they shouldn't have any effect on the safety or security of your home. In most cases, you should have these problems checked out within 48 hours of the initial damage, as leaving the damage too long can cause other problems, such as leakage of water. Also, if more storms are forecast then the damage can be increased. Repairing should prevent a similar occurrence in most cases, offering peace of mind.

If something goes wrong with your plumbing, you will usually need to sort it immediately, as water damage to the home can be both expensive and severe, especially if personal items are affected. By the same token, a gas leak is also something deserving of immediate attention, as if any sparks or naked flames occur your house could receive serious damage.

24 hour emergency callout services are crucial for both security and the reassurance they provide. Hopefully, you shouldn't ever need to use such a service, however it is unwise to think that this will be the case, and so you should always have the numbers of emergency glaziers, locksmiths and plumbers in a safe place, so that you know you can call one in an emergency.

Many 24 hour services offer a 'one-stop' solution and can offer both glazing and locksmith services, as well as some basic plumbing expertise (although knowledge of gas isn't always as common due to the CORGI accreditation requirements).