# How to Extricate a Broken Light Bulb
Whether a stray football knocked out your porch light bulb or the standing lamp in your living room tipped over, you'll need to clear the socket before replacement. Instead of simply reaching for the base of the bulb and trying to loosen it, take several precautions to ensure there is no live current running to the socket. Additionally, you should take care to protect your hands and eyes from stray glass shards during removal of the broken bulb.
Things You'll Need
- Safety goggles
- Thick gloves
- Ladder (optional)
- Needle-nose pliers
- Handheld vacuum
Instructions
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1
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.
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2
Don your safety goggles and thick gloves to protect yourself from stray glass shards. If necessary, climb a ladder to reach the fixture.
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3
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.
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4
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.
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1
General Home Repair
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