How to Change a Light Bulb Safely (Including Hard-to-Reach Ones)

Changing a light bulb is simple, but it's still one of the most searched home how-tos. Doing it safely and choosing the right bulb saves time and money.

Step by step

1. Turn off the switch — and for fixtures you're unsure about, switch off the circuit at the fuse box.
2. Let the old bulb cool for a few minutes.
3. Use a stable step ladder, not a chair.
4. Remove the old bulb: unscrew anticlockwise, or for bayonet bulbs push in gently and twist.
5. Fit the new bulb and turn the power back on.

Choose the right bulb

• Match the fitting: screw (E27/E14) or bayonet (B22/B15).
• Check the fixture's maximum wattage.
• Choose LED bulbs — they use much less energy and last far longer.
• Pick colour temperature: warm white for living spaces, cool white for kitchens and workspaces.

Stuck or broken bulbs

Turn off the power at the fuse box first. Wear gloves and eye protection. For a broken bulb, press a raw potato or a wad of tape into the base and twist gently to remove it.

If a fixture flickers, buzzes or keeps blowing bulbs, have an electrician check it.