light bulb burns out immediately or within 3-4 seconds
If the replacement lamps are the correct voltage, but burning out immediately, this is likely due to a bad neutral connection. This can be caused by a break in the neutral wire anywhere between the outside power transformer and the electric entrance panel in the house. Occasionally, a tree branch will fall on the entrance cable, pulling loose the neutral wire.

This condition causes voltage to be split unequally across circuits, so that some devices may get just a fraction of the normal voltage (e.g. 120 VAC in most of North America), and the opposite circuit get the rest 9up to 240 VAC). 

If you know how to check the voltage safely on the bulb's circuit you can confirm this. In any event, if it is a bad neutral, get it fixed quickly, because the incorrect voltage (low as well as high) can destroy appliances or start a fire. This repair is not for the amateur, and may require inspection afterwards.