Don't use flourescent bulbs outdoors or places where you are turning on
and off the light a lot. For example, I have regular incandescent
bulbs in my hallway lights and in one bedroom, and flourescent bulbs
elsewhere. I am saving up my bad compact flourescent bulbs to take
back to Home Depot to take advantage of the 7 year guarantee when I get
enough of them to fill up an entire package (save the packaging and
reciept).