Home Security and Garage Sales
One of the best ways to make some quick cash is to sell items you no longer want or need in a garage sale.
In the summer, nearly every weekend is packed with these marketplaces and sometimes they can be fairly lucrative.
However, there are also inherent security risks that come with allowing strangers near your house.
Believe it or not, robberies are a significant threat when holding a garage sale.
Robbers know that most garage sales only deal in cash, and even if they don't get a huge score, they can get enough to get their next drug fix or other much-needed commodity.
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to make your garage sale as secure as possible.
First, the term "garage sale" is a misnomer.
You should never have people in your garage.
You should set up the items you have for sale in your driveway and yard.
You do not want people to even see into your garage or house.
You probably have valuable items in both places so it's better not to give them any opportunity to shop for things they want to come back for later.
Always keep your home security system on while you are having the sale.
This way, you will be alerted if someone tries to go into your house when you aren't looking.
All it takes is two people to pull off a burglary.
One person distracts you and one person goes inside your house.
If your home security system isn't armed, you will never know until you go inside and find that things are missing.
There should always be at least two people running the sale.
There is safety in numbers and a robber is less likely to take your money if someone else is there to stop him.
Utilize your panic button on your home security system if you ever feel like you are in danger.
It is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to getting robbed, especially if the robber has a weapon.
However, do not try to be a hero.
Chances are, there will not be enough money in your garage sale till that is worth anyone getting injured or killed.
Hand it over to him and call the police, either by pressing your panic button or dialing 911.
You can't be 100% sure that you will be safe when holding a garage sale; however, by taking these precautions, you can cut down on the risk of becoming a victim.
In the summer, nearly every weekend is packed with these marketplaces and sometimes they can be fairly lucrative.
However, there are also inherent security risks that come with allowing strangers near your house.
Believe it or not, robberies are a significant threat when holding a garage sale.
Robbers know that most garage sales only deal in cash, and even if they don't get a huge score, they can get enough to get their next drug fix or other much-needed commodity.
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to make your garage sale as secure as possible.
First, the term "garage sale" is a misnomer.
You should never have people in your garage.
You should set up the items you have for sale in your driveway and yard.
You do not want people to even see into your garage or house.
You probably have valuable items in both places so it's better not to give them any opportunity to shop for things they want to come back for later.
Always keep your home security system on while you are having the sale.
This way, you will be alerted if someone tries to go into your house when you aren't looking.
All it takes is two people to pull off a burglary.
One person distracts you and one person goes inside your house.
If your home security system isn't armed, you will never know until you go inside and find that things are missing.
There should always be at least two people running the sale.
There is safety in numbers and a robber is less likely to take your money if someone else is there to stop him.
Utilize your panic button on your home security system if you ever feel like you are in danger.
It is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to getting robbed, especially if the robber has a weapon.
However, do not try to be a hero.
Chances are, there will not be enough money in your garage sale till that is worth anyone getting injured or killed.
Hand it over to him and call the police, either by pressing your panic button or dialing 911.
You can't be 100% sure that you will be safe when holding a garage sale; however, by taking these precautions, you can cut down on the risk of becoming a victim.
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