Curbside Giveaway Days

Safety tips for Treasure Hunters and Declutterers

It’s an understatement to say COVID-19 has turned our regular routines and shopping habits upside down. While most Curbside Giveaway Days have been cancelled since the pandemic, many people still love buying second hand. 

For those of you who have been decluttering your closets, basements and garages and those who love the thrill of stumbling upon a unique treasure – here are some safety tips from York Region Public Health to help you still participate during COVID-19.

Tips to stay safe during any buy, sell or swap

• Adhere to the current restrictions and gathering limits in place
• Do not buy, sell or swap items if you or anyone in your household are exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms
• Do not buy, sell or swap items if you have been in close contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19
• Avoid all close contact. Stay 2-metres away from others
• After picking up an item, thoroughly clean and disinfect it. Avoid items that are difficult to clean
• Always practice good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette before and after handling goods (e.g. when coughing/sneezing)
  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer after handling items or completing the sale
  • Sneeze and cough into your sleeve or tissue and wash your hands afterwards
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth

Buying, selling or swapping second-hand items

• Arrange for delivery or curbside pickup, where possible
• Buy and sell with people that live in your community. Avoid travel. In particular, do not travel from a high transmission area to a low transmission area
• Never enter another person’s house or allow anyone to enter your home
• If possible, use digital payment services rather than cash
• Drop off or pick up goods during the day and in a public location

Organizing a garage or yard sale

• Adhere to the current restrictions and gathering limits in place
• If gathering is permitted, comply with current limits and monitor the number of people attending the sale (e.g. create a physically distanced waiting line)
• Hold the sale outdoors, on your driveway, never in your home
• To help illustrate and encourage physical distancing, display signs or use chalk markings or taped areas on your driveway as a reminder to keep a safe distance
• Space out your tables and items to give people lots of space to browse
• Supply 70% alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Display a sign to remind people not to come if they are feeling ill
• Clean high-touch surfaces frequently with household cleaner or diluted bleach
• Ask people not to touch items unless they are making a purchase
• When exchanging money, maintain a 2-metre distance (if possible, ask buyers to send you an e-transfer)
• Wear a mask or face covering

Attending a garage or yard sale

• Limit the number of sales you attend in one day and stay local
• Avoid carpooling with people outside of your household
• Avoid handling items, unless you are going to buy them
• Wear a mask or face covering
• Pay with exact change if possible, to avoid exchanging money or ask if an e-transfer is an option

Additional Resources

• Physical Distancing Signs – York Region Public Health
• How to wear a mask – York Region Public Health
• Online Buying and Selling – York Regional Police
• Project Safe Trade – Ontario Provincial Police
• Tips for Buying Second-Hand Products – Health Canada