Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.

Changing light bulb + it's stuck + will it cause fire? HELP.?

we were changing a light bulb in the basement. It was stuck. When trying to twist it out, the lights went out. We used the circuit breaker to turn the power on with water + fire extinguisher at our side to make sure that if there were sparks or fire we can deal with it.

No fire. Lights came on. But the light bulb is stuck in there. Will it cause a fire?

7 Answers

Relevance
  • Casey
    Lv 6
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    No, it probably won't cause a fire, but you should get the bulb out, anyway. I assume that the switch was in the on position when you started and that's why the circuit breaker tripped, so first thing, make sure it's off. If the glass is still intact, wear leather gloves and try to work it loose, so if it breaks it won't cut your hands. It should come out with a little gentle rocking back and forth, but if it breaks, it might be easier to remove. Some people recommend using a potato jammed onto the socket to twist it out, but I've never had much luck with that and I'm of Irish descent, so hate to waste a potato and prefer to use pliers to either twist the socket out or remove it piece by piece.

    Again, make sure the switch is off, no matter what you do.

    Also, you should never use water on an electrical or fuel fire because it can cause a fatal shock or spread the flames. Water should only be used on a class "A" fire, which is anything that leaves ashes, like wood, clothing, paper, etc. A much safer precaution for an electrical fire is an extinguisher that is rated "C" because it won't cause shocks, though the first thing you should do is turn off the power. For a fuel fire, such as one in a pan of cooking grease, smother the flames with a towel or use an extinguisher rated "B". A decent home fire extinguisher, available at any hardware store, home center, or discount retailer will be rated "ABC" and be safe to use on all three and it's recommended to have one on each floor of your home and one in the garage. Sorry, you didn't ask about fire safety, but it's important and you mentioned water in your question, which caused me some concern.

    Get the thing out and replace it. It may have some corrosion because it's in a damp environment and be difficult to remove. It will come out with a little care and dedication to the task, but it probably won't cause a fire. Sometimes the simple tasks that become larger than they should can be very frustrating, but at least it isn't something really disturbing and potentially expensive, like a plumbing problem.

    Source(s): Long time dad and husband and worked at Home Depot for 6 years in the hardware department where I sold fire extinguishers. I also had a lot of fire fighting training in the military and know you should never get water anywhere near an electrical fire. Good luck and be safe.
  • 1 decade ago

    If circuit breaker has tripped there is not danger of fire. If the circuit is live there is the potential danger of electrocution as the filaments of the light bulb are part of a live circuit and can cause electrical shock. To remove a broken light bulb from a socket try using a potato. This should be done only when power has been removed from the circuit at the circuit breaker. Never try to remove a bulb this way with the power on. Slice potato in half and press against broken light bulb. After pressing potato against bulb just screw it out.

    Source(s): Practical experience
  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Spray with 4d-40. Try again in the morning. If that don't work. With power of. Break the bulb. Remove with needle nose pliers. The problem is any time you pass a electrical current threw 2 different metals and moisture. You have corrosion between them. Put new bulb in not to tight. Turn on power.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    It will cause a fire if left unattended. The wire in the bulb will burn since it's not getting a steady current exploding the bulb glass and successfully creating a flammable gas which burst into flames causeing anything nearby to erupt in flame. Break the bulb remove with pliers.

  • How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.
  • 1 decade ago

    No. There is a safe plastic non conductive $4.00 broken light bulb extractor sold in hardware stores.

  • 1 decade ago

    It won't cause a fire.

  • 1 decade ago

    no it won't. if you think that is bad you should see how my grandpa wired my house lol

Still have questions? Get your answers by asking now.