How to Remove a Broken Light Bulb From Its Socket
So the cat gets spooked, jumps over the end table and knocks the lamp to the floor. The resulting pop and crash means you have a broken light bulb. It might seem like it would be tough to remove, but you can use a couple of tricks to get it out of the socket. Be sure to clean up all the glass shards first, though. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Turn off the light and the circuit breaker so there is no power flowing to the socket. If it's a lamp, you can just unplug it.
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Put on work gloves. Grab the metal edge at the base of the light bulb with pliers and squeeze hard. Try to unscrew it from the base. This is best if the break between the glass and metal on the bulb is clean. Do not do this if you haven't turned off the circuit breaker or unplugged the lamp. You run the risk of getting shocked.
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Cut a potato or apple in half if there are still shards of glass protruding from the light bulb base and you can't remove it with the pliers. Carefully press the inside half of the potato or apple onto the broken glass. Once the glass is embedded, turn it until it unscrews.
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Tips & Warnings
If the potato or apple is too hard to get the glass in, heat it up in the microwave for 10 seconds at a time until it is soft enough to get the glass in but not too soft to turn.
Wear gloves to protect yourself from broken glass.
Make sure the power supply is turned off to the socket.
Beware of broken glass -- never touch what's left of the bulb or the socket with your bare hands.
