- Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
As the weathers warms up and school vacation is fast approaching, new adventures are on the horizon for many looking to take advantage of the New England Summer. For the third consecutive year, June is nationally recognized as ‘Great Outdoors Month,’ a time to explore the United States’ abundant wildlife refuges, parks, and natural beauty. With over 450,000 acres of state parks, forests, reservations, beaches, and other facilities across the Commonwealth, the state parks system offers plenty of opportunities to fully enjoy outdoor recreation.
As the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) Undersecretary Edward A. Palleschi always says, “an informed consumer is an empowered consumer.” Before heading out to explore, make sure you have the proper equipment for any activity you plan. In addition to ensuring you are well equipped for your next trip into nature, be sure to always take the proper safety precautions and shop or book excursions with reputable individuals and companies to avoid potential scams. In recognition of ‘Great Outdoors Month,’ OCABR compiled the below tips to help keep you safe in preparation for your next venture:
- Research the equipment needed for your selected activity. Consider getting only the essentials at first to avoid excess gear going to waste.
- Read online reviews of the items you intend to purchase and decide which models or options are right for you. Be sure to obtain reviews from reputable retailers and websites. Check out OCABR’s recent blog about online shopping for more detail on analyzing consumer reviews.
- Consider shopping in-person to test out and try on equipment before buying. For example, purchasing footwear with proper toe room can make the difference between a comfortable or painful trek.
- Purchase items from legitimate suppliers that are authorized to carry and distribute the brand(s) you are interested in. Authorized retailers also guarantee that the product is authentic, guaranteeing you will avoid scams of fake and counterfeit products, or a delivery that never arrives.
- Verify the business or professional you are working with to plan your outdoor journey. Before providing a deposit or making any payments in advance, check to see if the business is accredited or has any complaints against it with the Better Business Bureau.
- Protect yourself against possible financial losses if you are forced to cancel, delay, or interrupt your outdoor vacation with travel insurance. Learn more about travel insurance from the Division of Insurance (DOI), an agency within OCABR, and ensure that any travel insurance providers you choose are licensed to do business in Massachusetts with the DOI.
After you have the equipment needed, itinerary set, and protected your trip, ‘Great Outdoors Month’ is the perfect excuse to get out and enjoy the 250 state parks, including 87 beaches, 16 islands, 29 campgrounds, over 4,500 miles of greenways and trails, and 145 miles of paved biking trails that are open to the public in Massachusetts. Visit the Department of Conservation and Recreation website for more information on these outdoor spaces in Massachusetts.
