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My light bulb broke inside the socket. How can I get it out safely?

If your lightbulb is stuck in the socket, you can try these options to remove it.

Before attempting to remove a light bulb, you should:

Turn off the power at the breaker box or switch

Put on safety glasses

Make sure the bulb is cool

Use Pliers – If the bulb is broken but the glass is intact, you can use a needle – nose pliers to grip the base and gently twist counterclockwise. IF the filament breaks, open the pliers as wide as possible and turn counterclockwise.

Apply heat – use a hair dryer to gently heat the metal housing of the light fixture to expand the socket and loosen the bulb.

Use duct tape – cut a strip of duct tape, turn it into a loop, and wrap it around the bulb. Stick the loop to the edges and center of the bulb, then press the sides of tape together.

Use a screwdriver – If the bulb is stuck, you can try gently prying between the socket and the bulb with a flat blade screwdriver.

After you have removed the bulb, you should clean up any of the broken glass and dispose of it properly in the waste receptacle.

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