Spring has sprung and it’s that time of year again – Garage Sale Season. I passed one intersection this weekend that had over a dozen signs advertising the sales.  Who doesn’t love Good Junk? Before you offer your wares to strangers, take a moment to familiarize yourself with hidden personal security dangers.

You can learn a great deal about the occupants of a home by what items are offered at garage and yard sales.  With the summer upon us and spring clean-up in full swing, many home residents elect to earn a few extra dollars by clearing out unwanted wares.  For those bent on gawking—and there are many—this is a long awaited ritual among the treasure seekers.  However, there are some genuine security concerns that should be taken into consideration before advertising and hosting such an event.

It is important to recognize that garage and yard sales attract attention.  Who among us has not made a U-turn or circled the block after seeing a makeshift sign offering direction to a ‘Good Junk’ or have highlighted a listing found in the local newspaper?

These forms of advertising are relatively inexpensive and usually serve their intended purpose, which is to attract buyers.  What they also accomplish is invite strangers to your home.  So, here are a few points to keep in mind when planning to make a few extra bucks this summer by selling items you no longer use or need.

1.  Consider partnering with neighbors and friends to host your sale during the same period of time. Multi-family sales attract larger numbers of seekers and enhance security for the sellers. You’ll have to select a large enough location that is suitable for everyone’s goods to be placed on display, but it also negates telegraphing to strangers who lives in a specific home.

This is especially important when infant ware and items used by children are sold.

Bassinettes, walkers, infant clothing and the like are a clear indicator that a child lives in the home. Likewise, consumer advocates have lobbied for years to mandate labeling on products intended for children, which identifies age appropriateness.  A child in the early stages of physical and mental development quickly outgrows educational computer software, board games as well as storybooks geared toward younger children.  Once no longer used, these items make their way to the display tables and bins—often times in the original manufacturer’s packaging.  This information offers further confirmation to a child abductor or sexual predator and reveals a child’s age and in some cases confirms gender.

2. If you elect to host the event at your home arrange to have someone sit with you. This is extremely important when a small child is present at the home—whether sleeping indoors or with you outside. Someone must be available to watch over things should you be drawn to respond to a child’s feeding or other parental chore. When choosing an assistant, ensure that the person is capable of rendering aid or assistance as needed—whether placing a phone call or alerting you to a problem.

3. All visitor activities should be conducted in full view of others.  Occasionally, large furniture or appliances are offered for sale.  These items should never be shown inside the home.  Instead, consider photographing the items to show perspective buyers, or make an appointment for viewing.  The latter allows you to ensure someone is present with you if you must invite a stranger into your home. Also, if you have a sitter with you, ensure that she is available for the duration of your sale.

4.  Do a little web-surfing.  Visit the sites hosted by State and Local police agencies; looking for registered sex offenders with residences within your zip code and surrounding communities. Often times, photos and brief criminal bio’s are available allowing you to become familiar with the physical characteristics of the convicted offender.  This information may also be printed and placed where it may be quickly retrieved if you become suspicious.  In this light, if you believe that a known sexual predator visited your home, after they depart and you have made the area safe, report the incident to your local law enforcement authorities immediately. Report only what you suspect to be true and accurate.

5.  Finally, think carefully about what items you will offer for sale.  Don’t fall into the trap of clearing out everything in your home and pushing it to the curb for every passerby to pick through.  If your have a young child in the home please be mindful of what information someone may determine about that child—review the points above carefully as a guide.  Also, consider consignment shops for items that are identified with infants or, better yet donate them to your local church or charity.  This is an excellent way to practice keeping your child safe and helping others during this time of economic challenge.

With proper forethought and planning you can have a safe and successful yard sale and practice personal security measures, as well.  Stay Safe!