When you accidentally break a light bulb, leaving the metal base of the bulb stuck in the socket, you will have the problem of removing the base (also called the screw thread contact) from the socket. There is a safe and easy way to remove broken light bulbs without getting a shock.

First turn off the power to your sockets at the source. If it’s a stand alone lamp, you can simply unplug the unit. However for ceiling fixtures, the power to the light fixtures in the building needs to be turned off. This can be done by cutting off power to the electrical circuit that controls the light fixtures in your home from the electrical box.

When the power is off, put on a pair of safety glasses to protect your eyes from broken glass, bits of debris and metal filings that may drop from the ceiling. If the broken bulb still has some bits of glass attached to the screw thread contact, get a potato or bar of soap, cut it in half along its width and press firmly over the shards of the bulb. When you twist carefully to the left, what’s remaining of the bulb will come out of the socket.

There may be instances when the glass has been completely shattered and there is nothing left but the metal screw thread contact. In this case you’ll need a pair of needle nosed pliers. First of all blow out the dust particles and other grime that may have gotten the metal thread stuck, especially if the bulb has been in the socket for a long time. You then grab the edge of the metal base with the needle nose pliers and turn in a steady counterclockwise movement. This should bring out the metal base of the bulb.

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