Garage Sale Season Safety Tips

• Get a Buddy!

Not only is it more fun this way, but you will ensure that your garage sale items are never left unattended for things like bathroom or food breaks. The extra set(s) of eyes can also help you keep an eye out for shoplifters and can make it more enjoyable for you to interact with customers during various waves of busyness.

Friends and family make great garage sale partners and can even help enhance your garage sale offerings if they choose to sell some of their own items too. Just be sure you have the pricing and cash flow elements figured out and the rest will be a breeze!

It’s also helpful to inform your neighbors of your garage sale so they can keep an eye out for you to ensure you and your family remain safe throughout the garage sale. They may even funnel some traffic your way, too!

• Lock Up

There are several things to lock up when hosting events of any kind at your house but especially events where strangers are stopping by. Before you begin, make sure you lock up and hide any valuables within your home or garage. You will also want to be sure that the windows and entry ways to your home are secure. This is especially important if you have children. Make sure you know where they are at all times during the garage sale and that their environment remains safe.

You will also want to lock up your vehicles and remove anything of value from them. Unfortunately, a garage sale is a perfect opportunity for someone to “case” your property and you don’t want to give them any reason to want to come back with malicious intent.

Finally, make sure your cash box is locked up and in a secure spot throughout the duration of the garage sale.

• Keep These Close By: Phone, Cash, Keys – Oh My!

Some valuable items you will want to keep accessible but still secure include items like your phone, the cash box/safe, and your keys. It is important that these items remain safely available to your while not drawing a lot of attention from shoppers. For this, we recommend having a covered table set up that is never left unattended. The table coverage allows you to stow items of value in an easy-to-access spot without leaving them out in the open. With your buddy (or team of buddies!), be sure to keep the table and all of these valuables under close watch at all times.

• Set It Up Right

When prepping for a garage sale, it is important to utilize the garage space well. Be sure to cover or remove any items you do not wish to offer for sale to avoid any confusion from customers. You can also utilize your outdoor space such as your driveway, lawn, deck, or patio to avoid any congestion in your garage space. Some people even avoid having people in their garages altogether by utilizing outdoor spaces. Outdoor spaces will also offer more light.

• Be Cautious With Personal Information

Avoid sharing personal information with your customers when hosting a garage sale or promoting it on social media. While people will know your address based on the physical location of the garage sale, you do not owe them any additional information to shop with you. Especially if you have children, try not to get too personal in your conversations with customers.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help from a trusted neighbor or one of your garage sale buddies if someone is being too intrusive. Letting your local law enforcement know of any strange behavior can be very important so be sure to report anything out of the ordinary when hosting your garage sale.

• Stay Hydrated and Take Breaks

The summer days in Wisconsin can get hot. You must be checking in with yourself and your garage sale buddies to make sure everyone feels hydrated and nourished, and to give each other necessary breaks. Consider filling a cooler with icy beverages and having a kiddy pool to dip your feet in for when you get too hot. If you have limited shade, be sure to use proper SPF sunscreen coverage, hats, sunglasses, and other coverings to protect yourself from the sun and heat.

• End of Sale Plan

As the sale winds down, consider what you will do with any remaining items. While it may be tempting after a long day to just leave everything out and to deal with it the next day, we highly recommend that all unsold items are re-secured before closing down for the night. This will keep your property safer throughout the night by limiting the amount of additional attention drawn to your property.

Happy Selling!

By following these safety tips, you can have a successful and secure garage sale experience. If your garage needs a little tune-up or a full-blown makeover before you feel confident enough to host a garage sale, J.D. Griffiths is here for you! We are Milwaukee’s premier garage builders and providers of garages, doors, service, and repairs! Get your free quote for your garage project today >>> 414-362-7222

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J.D. Griffiths has proudly served the greater Milwaukee area since 1947, building our reputation as the premiere detached garage and garage door experts. Check out more resources, examples, and information on our garage builds, renovations, door installation, and service jobs to learn more. Be sure to connect with us on social media, too! Follow J.D. Griffiths on Facebook.