The most important garage sale safety tips are to keep your cash on you, keep your house locked, never let strangers inside, and have at least one helper. Watch for payment scams, check large bills for counterfeits, and keep valuables and medicines out of sight. Most garage sales go smoothly, but a little planning protects your money, your home and your family.
Protect your cash
- Wear a fanny pack or apron instead of using a cash box. A box on a table is easy to grab.
- Start with small bills and move larger bills inside during the day. Here’s how much change you need.
- Check large bills. Look for the watermark and security strip on $20s, $50s and $100s, or use a counterfeit detector pen.
- Don’t count money in front of buyers.
Watch out for payment scams
- Check that the payment actually arrived in your own app before the buyer leaves. Don’t accept a screenshot of a “sent” payment.
- Only accept payment apps from people you’re dealing with in person, and never send money back for an “overpayment.”
- Turn down checks from strangers, especially cashier’s checks for large amounts.
Here’s our full guide to taking Venmo, Zelle and cards at a garage sale.
Keep your home secure
- Lock the front door, back door and any doors from the garage into the house.
- Don’t let shoppers inside, even to use the bathroom. Point them to a nearby store or gas station.
- Bring big items outside before the sale so no one needs to go in. If you’re holding a moving sale and must show furniture inside, have a helper go with each buyer.
- Close the garage area you’re not using with a tarp or rope, and don’t leave tools, bikes or car keys sitting out.
- Put away valuables, medicines and personal papers, and lock your car.
Have a helper
Busy moments are when things go missing. One person can handle money while another answers questions. Distraction theft is common: one person asks lots of questions while a partner pockets small items. Keep small valuables like jewelry and electronics on a table near you.
Safety for your family and buyers
- Keep kids and pets supervised and away from the street and the cash.
- Don’t sell recalled, unsafe or banned items. Here’s what not to sell at a garage sale.
- Keep walkways clear and tape down extension cords so no one trips.
- Check your town’s rules on signs and sales. See do you need a garage sale permit?
Online ad safety
- Don’t post your phone number publicly. Use the site’s messaging instead. See how to post a garage sale on Craigslist.
- Don’t mention that you’re moving out of town or leaving for vacation.
- Delete your ads and take down your signs when the sale ends.
FAQ
Should you let people into your house during a garage sale?
No. Keep everything you’re selling outside or in the garage, and keep the house locked.
How do you keep money safe at a garage sale?
Wear a fanny pack or apron, keep only small bills on you and move extra cash inside during the day.
How do you handle early birds?
Put your start time and “no early birds” in your ads, and keep the garage door closed until you’re ready. Our garage sale checklist helps you get set up on time.