It’s been called the great decluttering of 2020, the pandemic-inspired purging of “stuff.” The trend continues with spring cleaning becoming a year-round effort, as a recent study indicates Americans attempt to tidy up and toss out four times per year.
For those unearthed possessions you plan to resell by having a garage or yard sale, keep in mind a few safety suggestions to make the most of your efforts.
Before the Sale
Stick to promoting your sale on social media or in your local newspaper. Look for your community’s “buy and sell” group on Facebook or check if they have their own website you can post to. However you choose to advertise your sale, please do not post flyers to power poles. The poles are treated to keep bugs from penetrating the wood. The holes created by stapling or nailing signs can significantly decrease the life of the pole by allowing bugs to get in and feast on the pole or nest within.
If a lineworker must climb a pole to access equipment or restore power, nails, staples and signs become hazardous obstacles. Even a small nail can puncture a lineworker’s clothes and gloves or snag safety gear, making the lineworker vulnerable to falls or possible electrocution. Nails can also puncture a lineman’s skin, causing injury.
Address any uneven sidewalk or driveway, or unstable railing issues on your property. Alerts visitors to potential hazards by putting up a sign. In addition:
- Place items far enough apart to prevent tripping hazards.
- Keep your pets inside. Well-behaved pets can act differently around strangers. And if a shopper isn’t paying attention, your furry friend could be a tripping hazard.
- Assume children will be present and keep dangerous items out of reach.
During the Sale
Most garage-salers are simply looking for a good deal. But you’re still letting strangers shop on your property.
- Lock doors to your home.
- Have a garage sale partner to help fill in when you need to take a break.
- Assign someone to watch the entrance to and from the garage door to avoid grab and go shoplifters.
- Never allow strangers inside your home for water, bathroom, etc.
- Organize sale items with safety in mind. Ensure heavy items can’t topple over and hurt someone. Keep walking paths clear of items to avoid tripping.
- Use a belt bag or apron with pockets instead of a cash box to avoid the box disappearing when you are distracted. Keep only enough cash, in small bills, on hand to make change. As you accumulate cash throughout the sale, take some of it inside for safekeeping.
Keep in Mind
It is important you don’t knowingly sell something that could be dangerous to others, otherwise you might be liable for damages to someone who sustains an injury from using that product. Never sell recalled products. Under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, resellers must adhere to certain regulations when reselling items, and this includes garage and yard sales. Some items are never allowed to be resold, like mattresses and car seats.
Add safety to your sales event checklist to ensure it remains rewarding both monetarily and socially with friends, neighbors and community members spending time swapping goods and good stories.
For more information visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s online guide for resellers at www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/resellersguide.pdf.