• Open the windows and leave the room for at least 15 minutes.
  
  
• For hard floors, don't vacuum or sweep the mess. Instead, wear disposable rubber gloves and use cardboard or stiff paper to scoop up the debris. Then clean the area with a damp paper towel.
  
  
• For rugs, use sticky tape to pick up any compact fluorescent bulb fragments and powder. Then vacuum the area if necessary.
  
  
• Place the debris and cleanup materials into a plastic bag and seal it. Put that bag into another plastic bag and seal it.
  
  
• If your area allows it and no other disposal or recycling options exist, place compact fluorescent bulbs in the trash outside. Wash your hands.
  
  
• After vacuuming the area for the first time, remove bag or empty and wipe bin. Put bag or debris into a plastic bag and seal it. Then put that bag into another plastic bag and seal it. Place in the trash outside. Wash your hands.
  
  

Although it's rare, some compact fluorescent bulbs smoke, smell, or darken at the base when they burn out. Currently all CFL materials must be self-extinguishing, so they won't catch fire, according to Energy Star.

If your compact fluorescent bulb has a dramatic end, turn off power to the CFL. Once the bulb has cooled, remove it. Then send an e-mail message with a photo of the compact fluorescent bulb and its make and model to cfl@energystar.gov.