Unplug the lamp from its wall outlet. If you are working with a ceiling or wall fixture, turn off the appropriate circuit breaker in your home's fuse box.
Don your safety goggles and thick gloves to protect yourself from stray glass shards. If necessary, climb a ladder to reach the fixture.
Grip the metal base of the broken bulb with a pair of needle nose pliers. Rotate the base counterclockwise until it loosens from the socket. Continue rotation until the base comes free from the socket. Dispose of the broken bulb.
Clean up any glass shards that may have fallen to the ground using a handheld vacuum. Switch the fuse back on to restore electrical current to the socket.