A lightblub broke while in a ceiling fixture. How do I get it out?

Answer 1

Use a potato.

Honestly. Just shut off the electricity to the socket, push the potato into the socket and turn counter-clockwise. I usually use a needle-nose pliers, but a lot of people don't own them.

Answer 2

1) make very certain that the light-switch is turned OFF.
2) kill the breaker to the circuit, or the whole house if you need to. (This will entice you to getting a working flashlight going again, if nothing else)
3) If you can safely reach the broken light, stick a potato up into the broken shards of glass and turn counter-clockwise until the socket is backed out. Use a rubber glove--just for fun and safety.
If you need a ladder or stool to reach the fixture, be equally safety conscious.
4) Dispose of potato & light bulb remnants. Do not allow the potato to be eaten.
5) If you cannot reach the light safely, or are afraid the electricity might still be on, call someone who is experienced in these handy-man-woman-like chores.

Good luck and stay safe. (Sorry to sound so paranoid, but I don't know your age or agility, or your experience with these things. People who are not sufficently paranoid and experienced get hurt doing this seemingly simple stuff.)

Answer 3

cut a raw potatoe in half, stick it on the broken bulband twist the bulb out, be sure the light is off when you do this. this will keep you from cutting yourself and from dropping pieces of glass from the fixture to the garbage can.

Answer 4

Interesting - I never heard the potato solution before.

I usually just turn off the switch and grab a pair of pliers and twist it out.

Answer 5

I was scared to use the potato (sorta has water in it)
I turned off swith
grabbed an old dish rag and crammed as much of the dishrag into the hole as icould and twisted as much of the rag as was left outside of the hole and it took it right out

Answer 6

turn off breaker in panel or unscrew fuse. u can try a potato cut in half. if this doesnt work use needle nose plyers, put into socket and instead of clamping on center remaining parts of bulb spread handles and turn counter clock wise.

Answer 7

I recently read an article on that...it said to take a potato and stick it in to the broken piece and twist. Seems to me that a potato would be too hard, might want to try something softer...maybe an orange???

Answer 8

Turn off the power - get a peeled potato
and put it in the socket, give it a few turns and it comes out!!

Answer 9

make certain electricity off- then use a whole carrot of approx same size and insert and twist carefully... problem solved. This is from martha stewart

Answer 10

I didn't have the potatoe so I used an apple, and it work just fine.