How to Change a Broken Light Bulb with a Potato

The history of the incandescent light bulb is an interesting one that has contributed wonderful things to our society today. Who among us would relish living in a world without it? But, as with any great invention, there is a down side, and one draw back to having light bulbs to add brilliance to our life is having to change them when they burn out and break. The day something is invented that gives permanent or 100 year illumination will be a happy one for many of us, indeed.

It can be a nuisance to change a light bulb when it burns out. But it can be dangerous to change one when the bulb is broken and still in the socket. There is a relatively safe and easy method for doing it, and it involves using a potato. I know this because I have done it, myself.

I read somewhere that you could change a broken light bulb with a potato. I tried it and discovered a few things that were not covered in what I read. There were problems and dangers I ran into which I wish I had been warned about beforehand.

The following is my version of how to change a broken light bulb with a potato, including tips and warnings, based upon my own experiences.

What You Need:

1 raw potato
1 knife
1 replacement light bulb
1 bag for trash/glass shards
Gloves
Protective eyewear
Vacuum/sweeper and a dustpan
Recipe using the remaining half a potato is optional

IMPORTANT: Read all the directions before trying this!

What to Do:

1- Using the knife, cut the raw potato in half (not lengthwise). You only need one of the halves. Reserve the other half for your recipe, or throw away.

2- Put on your gloves and protective eyewear.

3- Turn off the power to the light. If it is a lamp, unplug it. You may turn off power to it at the circuit breaker, as well.

4- If it is an overhead light, and you have an assistant, have them hold the bag up closely to the light as you work to catch any shards of glass that may break/fly off. For a lamp, if you can place it in the bag to catch remnant of glass it is wonderful. If not, you will need to carefully clean the area once you are done.

5- Carefully push the cut end of the potato onto the broken glass of the light bulb. It is at this time that the remaining glass may break and fly off. Take your time, and be careful.

6- Once the potato is securely on the broken light bulb, carefully turn the light bulb in a counterclockwise direction to remove it.

7- Once removed, discard the potato and broken light bulb into the bag.

8- Carefully vacuum or sweep the area in order to get all broken glass shards removed. Brush off lamp or any light fixture parts that may have broken glass on them.

9- Carefully brush off your gloves into the bag.

10- Remove your gloves and protective eyewear.

11- Tie or seal up the bag and dispose of it properly.

12- Insert new light bulb and secure by turning it in a clockwise direction.

13- Turn power to light back on.

14- Test new bulb.

If everything went well, you have safely removed the broken light bulb, and replaced it with a new one that does work. Congratulations! Now you will always know what to do, and how to safely do it when a bulb gets broken in its socket.