Michigan Garage Sale Season Is Here—Avoid Buying These Items

The signs are starting to pop up on street corners all over the Mitten State. You're slowing down to look at all the stuff lining that person's driveway. You're digging around your center console to see if you have any spare cash...It's garage sale season in Michigan!

Garage sale season is about to kick off in a big way in Michigan. We've been cooped up all winter; we want to get outside and rummage through other people's stuff to find things that we need, want, and things we don't need but want anyway.

While there's no harm in most of the items that tend to be for sale (clothes, accessories, home goods, etc.), there are some items you'll want to avoid.

Items You Should Never Buy at Michigan Garage Sales

Just because it has a very low price, doesn't mean you should buy it. Some things can be downright dangerous to buy secondhand. Here are some items you'll want to avoid when checking out garage sales this summer.

Bicycle Helmets

Bicycle helmets need to meet certain safety standards, and there's no way to know if they do if you buy a used one from a garage sale. Not to mention, once a helmet has been in an accident, it shouldn't be used anymore. There's no way for you to know that either.

Car Seats

Car seats are another item that you don't want to take a chance on buying used. There's no way for you to know if it's been in a car accident or not. This item is best bought new.

Cribs

If you can't already sense a theme, let me spell it out for you: things with child safety standards shouldn't be purchased second-hand. Safety standards change all the time.

Makeup

Makeup from a garage sale cannot be trusted... even if the seal looks good, that makeup could have all kinds of bacteria in it. And don't forget, makeup comes with an expiration date.

Mattresses

There's a big reason why even places like Goodwill won't accept mattresses, and that's bedbugs.