If you're using them outside I would also switch to LED or even CFLs. One of the reasons they're failing is probably from vibration. Wind or doors slamming cause the filament to vibrate and weaken.
Isn't that what dielectric grease is for?
Dielectric Grease is a lubricant that is formulated for it's non conductive properties. Most frequently it is used to lubricate silicon rubber insulators without creating a risk of shorting out the connection that is being insulated to ground through the grease itself. Dielectric grease should not be applied to conductive connections prior to their being made up and becoming fully conductive.
Conductive Grease, such as Penetrox, are used to exclude air and prevent corrosion in the contact surfaces of conductive connections.
For the application being discussed here it is very important that a conductive grease be used. The grease should be applied quite sparingly so as to avoid the possibility of excess grease causing an arcing fault between the center contact and the threads of an Edison based lighting socket.
The two brands that I have seen used are Elecralube and Bulb EZ.
I would strongly advise that Vaseline or any other brand of petroleum jelly not be used. Petroleum Jelly is Flammable! If any arcing were to occur in the socket it will ignite and propagate fire to any other combustible part of the fixture such as any plastic used in the construction of the shell.
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