How to Get Broken Light Bulbs Out of a Socket in a High Ceiling

Broken light bulbs in a high ceiling fixture create a safety challenge if you want to replace the bulbs yourself. A ladder and a helper to hold it steady are essential. You'll also need to shut off the electricity to the ceiling fixtures and use tools that will enable you to grip the bulb threads and remove them from the socket, all while protecting your hands from jagged glass. Follow all safety procedures when attempting this repair job.

Ladder
Work gloves
Screwdrivers
Paper bag
Needle-nose pliers

Instructions

- 1
  Cut off the circuit breaker to the ceiling light fixtures and turn off the wall switch.
- 2
  Position the ladder below the light fixtures. Put on work gloves. Carry the screwdriver, paper bag and needle-nose pliers with you when scaling the ladder, which your helper should hold steady.
- 3
  Remove any lens cover or housing over the broken light bulbs using a screwdriver, if necessary. Dump the lens cover over into the open paper bag to catch glass fragments from the shattered bulbs. Glass shards are less likely to penetrate a paper bag than a plastic bag, which could cause injury.
- 4
  Hand the bag to your helper, if practical, or climb down the ladder to dispose of the broken glass before scaling the ladder again to remove the broken bulbs.
- 5
  Grip the metal base of the broken lamp, where it is screwed into the light socket, using the needle-nose pliers. Twist the base counterclockwise with the pliers to unscrew it from the socket.
- 6
  Throw away all bulb pieces, including the threaded base and shattered glass.
- 7
  Screw in new bulbs with a wattage rating no higher than the number printed on the fixtures and replace the lens or cover.
- 8
  Restore the electricity at the circuit breaker after making sure the wall switch is turned off.

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