Before diving into the rescue mission, make sure you are well-prepared as safety is important. Armed with a handy meter kit, including an outlet tester, voltage meter, and a touchless voltage tester, ensure the power is truly off.

Double down on safety by turning off the switch and breaker. Get some needle nose pliers to help you by popping them into the socket, twisting counter-clockwise, and keeping a steady pressure. But if that doesn’t work, you can try something you likely have at home—a potato!

Cut in half, the potato’s density offers the appropriate leverage, ensuring a swift, counterclockwise twist to free your lightbulb from its shattered predicament. A bar of soap can also be your next lightbulb-saving hero. Just like with the potato trick, give it a twist and a push into the socket, then twist counterclockwise. Just make sure it’s dry. But sometimes even potatoes and soap aren’t enough.

When that happens, experts recommend an extractor kit. It comes with a glass protector to shield your face from unexpected shards. Some even sport an extended pole for ground-level convenience. After you’ve removed all the parts from your light fixture, it’s time for cleanup.

If it’s an incandescent bulb, after the initial pick-up, vacuuming is ideal for a glass-free finish, as sweeping can leave behind surprise shards. If it’s an LED or compact fluorescent bulb, don’t use a vacuum as it can spread mercury-containing powder. Use a damp paper towel for the shards and sticky tape for the tiny fragments. Ventilate the area during and after cleanup.

Finally, make sure you dispose of the bulb remnants properly. Check your local regulations; some areas demand recycling, while others allow you to toss it in your normal household trash. Double bagging is the safest to make sure you don’t end up cleaning it up all over again.

A long-forgotten doll from the Barbie universe is experiencing surprising popularity thanks to the recent Barbie movie release. Previously overshadowed by Ken, Allan has turned into an important collector’s item, commanding high prices on online selling platforms.

Allan dolls have now become the center of attention. Following the Barbie movie’s debut, toy enthusiasts and collectors are heading to selling websites to get their hands on the discontinued dolls. The prices of these dolls have skyrocketed, with some exceeding $600 for untouched versions. Another seller in Texas has even attracted a bid for $202.50, so far.

Created in 1964 and named after Mattel co-founder Ruth Handler’s son-in-law, Allan initially served as Ken’s best friend and was marketed as fitting into Ken’s wardrobe. However, his struggle to establish an identity of his own resulted in his discontinuation. In the late ’90s, the doll was rebranded as Midge’s husband but remained relatively unnoticed among Barbie enthusiasts.

Portrayed by actor Michael Cera in the Barbie movie, the doll takes center stage as a kind of loner character, a person without a defined group to belong to. According to Cera, the doll’s invisibility is a reflection of his unsuccessful run in the world of Kens. Despite that, the actor suggests that Allan is demonstrating a complex yet endearing personality. Michael says, “He wants Ken’s happiness. I thought that was sort of a life of servitude in a way. Distant yearning.”

From being overshadowed by Ken to becoming an iconic character in his own right, Allan’s journey showcases the power of storytelling. As collectors and fans celebrate the revival of this charming sidekick, he proves that every doll has a place in the hearts of enthusiasts worldwide.