With the coming of spring, thoughts turn to yard sales — those events in which one set of Americans buys the stuff another set no longer wants for more or less than the retail price.

Other than some buying tips — make sure you have enough room to store your new acquisitions, and confirm that your spouse is on board with it — I have nothing to say about hosting.

So I’ll defer to the folks at First Alert, who appear to know how to do this correctly.

Time it right. Many neighborhoods schedule an annual date for all homes and neighbors to participate and will promote the date on your behalf. Some say a weekend around the first or fifteenth of the month is most profitable, but if you’re competing with the town fair, live entertainment will trump your toddler’s toys.

Stage for a sale. Plan the layout of your merchandise with the customers in mind and think about how you like to shop. Staging similar items together, like children’s toys on a small table or electronic items near an outlet for testing, will help bargain hunters home in quickly on items they want.

Organize for safe shopping. As rummage shopping trips are often family outings, make sure outdoor and garage items are secured out of children’s reach and cords are tied up to reduce tripping hazards.

Be inviting but cautious. Greeting guests as they arrive offers a chance to quickly evaluate whom you’re letting near your home and valuables. Be available for any questions they might have about the merchandise, and allow customers to test or examine goods before purchasing to assess their quality. Always monitor shoppers and keep an eye on higher-priced items, especially when they’re placed near the road.

Monitor your money. With all of the bargaining and movement during a sale, cash can get lost in the shuffle — especially if you are conducting a group sale with neighbors or friends. Theft at garage sales is a common worry, so take precautions by counting and separating your quarters and bills before shoppers arrive. Secure the money in a safe and convenient place.

———

POWER APLENTY: If you bought a used lawn mower at a yard sale, the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute in Alexandria, Va., recommends a series of steps to avoid problems and ensure a smooth-running engine.

Most fuel contains some amount of ethanol, which contains corrosive alcohol, so you want to make sure that fuel does not sit in the tank, especially not over winter. If fuel has been sitting all winter, don’t use it in the spring. Drain it responsibly and put in fresh fuel.

Also:

Do not use gas with more than 10 percent ethanol (E10). Some gas stations may offer 15 percent ethanol (E15), but this higher-ethanol fuel is dangerous — and is in fact illegal — to use in any small-engine equipment, such as chain saws, snow throwers, generators, lawn mowers, lawn tractors, and all other lawn and garden equipment. For more information on E15 and why you can’t use this in lawn and garden equipment, go to www.opei.org/ethanolwarning.

Don’t leave fuel sitting in the tank for more than 30 days. Untreated gasoline (without a fuel stabilizer) left in the fuel system will deteriorate, which may cause starting or running problems and may, in some cases, damage to the fuel system.

After finishing mowing, turn the fuel valve off and leave it off until it’s time to mow again. Fill the mower’s fuel tank between uses to minimize air in the tank.

Store gasoline in a clean and sealed plastic container approved for fuel storage, and store the container away from direct sunlight.

Keep the air filter serviced properly and check it before each use. A properly maintained air filter will help prevent dirt from entering the carburetor.