Those high ceilings in the living room might be gorgeous, but they can become a huge pain when it’s time to change a light bulb. But changing bulbs is no picnic for even standard-height ceilings, and things can get especially messy if you’re dealing with a broken bulb. Show If you’re someone who puts off changing the light bulb until you just can’t take the darkness anymore, consider these tips to make changing light bulbs easier. 1. Let the Bulb CoolSometimes, you may have a light bulb on for a while, and then it blows. You don’t want to try to change it right away, because the bulb will be hot and may burn you or cause you to drop and break the bulb. Instead, let the light bulb cool down for about one hour before handling it. 2. Use a Step LadderFor rooms with a standard ceiling height, about 9 feet, use a step ladder to comfortably reach the bulb. Sure, you could stand on a chair, the couch, or a bed, but these surfaces are often cushioned and unstable, leaving you with a risk of falling. Instead of scaling your furniture, move it out of the way and use a much-safer ladder. 3. Get an Extendable PoleIf your light is hard to reach even with a ladder, you can find light bulb changing kits with extendable poles online or at home improvement stores. These poles may extend upward of 30 feet with interchangeable heads to grip and remove various types of bulbs, including broken bulbs, easily. 4. Grab Broken Bulbs With PotatoesWho knew the humble potato could be put to work as a home improvement tool? If you end up with a broken light bulb in a lamp, you can use this veggie to collect the shards of glass.
5. Wear GlovesWhether you’re dealing with a still-warm bulb or broken glass, wearing a pair of work gloves can make changing a light bulb safer and more comfortable. Plus, gloves with non-slip features may provide a better grip to prevent you from dropping the bulb. 6. Choose LED BulbsIf you feel like you’re constantly changing your light bulbs, opt for energy-efficient LED bulbs, which can last up to 25 times longer compared to other types of light bulbs. While they might cost more upfront, switching to LED light bulbs can save the average household about $225 per year. 7. Set Up for Quick CleanupNavinpeep/Moment via Getty Images Even if you aren’t dealing with a broken bulb at first, you could end up with one during the changing process., you can prevent mercury contamination from a broken fluorescent light bulb by laying down a drop cloth.
8. Keep Backup Bulbs HandyThere’s nothing worse than having an overhead light bulb blow after sunset, only to find you don’t have any ready for replacement. Then, you’re stuck sitting in the dark until you can make a run to the home improvement store! Buy light bulbs in bulk and keep them stored somewhere safe, like a utility closet, so you can always have one ready to replace an old bulb. When you notice your stock running low, make a note to order more online or pick some up at the store. 9. Understand WattageWatts refers to the amount of energy a bulb will use, and some light fixtures will have safety limits on wattage. For example, you may have a lamp with a label that says it cannot take bulbs higher than 60 watts, so you wouldn’t want to try to put a 100-watt bulb in the light. Using incorrect wattage bulbs creates a risk of fire. 10. Dispose of Old Bulbs SafelyBroken bulb or not, you should make sure to know how to properly dispose of old light bulbs. You should check your local waste management’s tips on proper bulb disposal in your area, but in most locations, you can follow the following disposal tips.
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