Who doesn’t love a good deal? Yard or garage sales aren't only a great way to purge items you no longer use, but they're also sustainable, giving those items a new home. Also, yard sales give you a chance to give your neighbors a fair price on items they may need while making a little money in the process. Plus, it’s all happening right in your front yard!

Despite these benefits, there are some risks to hosting yard sales on your property, and the liability can cost a lot more than whatever money you bring in during the sale. Being aware of these risks and understanding how to account for them can help ensure a safe and successful yard sale for everyone involved.

What are the risks of yard sales, and how does insurance help?

Though selling your kids’ old baby toys might seem harmless, yard sales can carry a lot of risk for organizers. Any accidents or injuries that happen while on your property could come back to haunt you. These damages include everything from wounds from products being sold, such as knives or tools, to injuries from tripping on utility cables.

In addition to knowing risks and mitigating them as best as possible, consider insurance a way to provide additional safety measures for your sale. Insurance can protect you in the event something does happen at your yard sale and a shopper is injured. This coverage can support medical bills and other damages if an injury occurs on your property. Conveniently, this benefit might already be found in your existing homeowners insurance policy.

How do you find the right coverage?

Your home insurance likely includes coverage for injuries or damage to others on your property. In general, homeowners policies include $100,000 in personal liability coverage, as well as limited no-fault medical coverage. Be sure to review your policy to determine your liability coverage. While this amount might be adequate for infrequent sales, if you plan on hosting regular events, consider investing in greater liability coverage.

What else can you do to reduce your risks?

In addition to making sure you have insurance coverage, be sure to take simple steps to keep you and your shoppers safe while on your property. First, inspect the location of the sale to check for uneven ground, sidewalk cracks, loose railings or any other hazards which might cause accidental injury. Repair as much as possible, and cordon off any areas where you don’t want shoppers to roam.

As you prepare for the sale itself, keep in mind some organizational tips to keep shoppers safe:

• Don’t sell dangerous items, expired products or recalled items
• Keep pets out of the way
• Keep sharp, breakable or heavy objects out of a child’s reach
• Keep the sale well-organized and avoid overloading tables with items
• Where possible, keep items off the ground to avoid tripping hazards

While you can never eliminate risk in a yard sale, taking steps to protect you, your family and your shoppers creates a far more enjoyable experience for everyone.