When changing bulbs, always make sure the lamp has had enough time to cool. When you consider that some bulbs, incandescent in particular, can create more heat than illumination, it makes it a priority to let bulbs cool before touching them.

Never change a bulb with your bare hands. Handling a bulb with your bare hands can lead to accidental burns if the unit hasn’t cooled down to safe levels. Sometimes a bulb will shatter while being changed and the glass shards can end up in your hand. When changing a bulb, it is best to wear work gloves. If you do not have gloves, a cloth or towel will also work.

Never overlamp a fixture by exceeding the wattage specifications. For instance, using a 200W solution in a fixture that is specified as a 60W maximum can lead to fixture failure, bulbs shattering, and even electrical damages.