How to Remove a Broken Light Bulb Safely

If a broken lightbulb is mounted in light fixture, extra care is required to avoid damaging the fixture and causing serious physical harm or death. Learn how remove a broken lightbulb safely, quickly and painlessly.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Potato

1. DISCONNECT POWER. The most important safety step to remove a broken lightbulb safely is to disconnect power to its fixture. If the broken light is mounted in a lamp, simply unplug the lamp from the electrical outlet. If the broken lightbulb is housed in a perpanent fixture (such as an overhead), you will need to shut power off to that section of your home. Use you fusebox or circuit breaker to stop the flow of power to the broken lightbulb.

2. CUT A POTATO IN HALF. It doesn't matter which way you cut it, as long as there is a large area of flesh (inside) exposed.

3. PRESS POTATO INTO BROKEN LIGHTBULB. Gently press the fleshy part of your potato into the shard of glass still attached to the lightbulb. Press only hard enough to loosely plant the broken glass into the potato.

4. TURN AND WATCH. Turn your potato as you would to remove the bulb. WATCH CAREFULLY TO MAKE SURE THE LIGHT BULB IS TURNING WITH THE POTATO. Though the lightbulb is embedded in the potato, if the lightbulb doesn't turn with the potato, you could accidentally drive your fingers into the shards of glass.

5. DISPOSE OF BROKEN LIGHT BULB APPROPRIATELY AND SAFELY.

Tips & Warnings

• ALWAYS FOLLOW ELECTRICITY SAFETY GUIDELINES WHEN DEALING WITH ELECTRICITY.

[Meri]

on 1/31/2009 My Dad taught me to do it this way!

[kluke82]

on 1/4/2009 I really like the idea of using the potato. Safety first is so important.

[Sidhartha]

on 1/3/2009 I'm glad you started with disconnecting the power, so many people fail to do this when theyre working with electricity.