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Beware the Hazards of Lithium-Ion Batteries This Holiday Season by Rockland County Executive Ed Day

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3 years ago

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From powering our smartphones, laptops, power tools, and toys to electric vehicles, scooters, even wheelchairs; Lithium-ion batteries are now part of the everyday technology we all use. But unfortunately, these revolutionary batteries can be incredibly dangerous because they have the potential to ignite and explode within seconds, leaving you with little to no time to react.  

Just this summer an e-bike battery caused a fire at a barbershop in Spring Valley. In the last six months there’s been about half a dozen incidents involving lithium-ion batteries. 

Failures are due to several factors one of which is overcharging or overheating, referred to as a thermal runaway. When the battery is overheated, it can cause a chain reaction which leads to a rapid increase in temperature and potentially result in a fire or explosion.  

Sometimes failures are simply due to manufacturing defects, a result of mass production. Even the smallest defect in manufacturing can lead to a hazardous situation. Other failures are simply caused from aging, resulting in a gradual loss of capacity and performance, leaving the batteries more susceptible to overheating and failure.

Our Fire & Emergency Services urges families to: 

  • Not use off-brand products
  • Follow manufacturer guidelines for charging
  • Keep away from hot surfaces & flammable materials
  • Look for Underwriter Laboratories, or UL, Certified products
  • Stop charging if item feels hot to the touch

As a former police commander, I am urging our families and residents to be mindful of these batteries both during usage and disposal. In fact, there have been instances of these batteries starting fires in garbage trucks. 

These items should never be thrown away in the trash or recycling. They must be recycled by the Rockland County Household Hazardous Waste Facility in Pomona located at 35 Firemen’s Memorial Dr, Pomona which you can reach at 845-354-0783. 

I applaud our Fire and Emergency services staff, including Director Chris Kear, who provided an incredibly informative safety demonstration for local media, hoping to spread the word to families who might receive gifts powered by the lithium-ion batteries this holiday season. 

We urge our residents to do what you can to be safe and be sure any items that use these batteries are handled with caution and care.

This is a weekly article by Rockland County Executive Ed Day.

 

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Government

Clarkstown Town Clerk Lauren Marie Wohl Launches Text Alerts for Tax Bill Updates

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4 days ago

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August 9, 2026

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CLARKSTOWN, NY — Beginning with the new tax season on September 1, the Clarkstown Town Clerk’s Office will offer residents a new and convenient way to receive updates about their tax bills directly by text message.

Town Clerk Lauren Marie Wohl announced that residents can opt in to the service by texting “TAXINFO” to 845-644-6899.

Once a resident’s tax bill is ready, those enrolled will receive a text message containing a link. Residents can then enter their property address to view their tax bill and, if they choose, make a payment online.

The new text notification system does not replace traditional mailed tax bills. Residents who sign up for the service will continue to receive their regular tax bill in the mail. The text alerts are intended to provide an additional and more convenient way for residents to know when their bills are available and access their information.

“Residents asked for a simpler way to receive tax bill information, and I’m proud that we were able to make it happen,” Wohl said.

Residents with questions about the new service can contact the Clarkstown Town Clerk’s Office at 845-639-2010.

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Government

Flock Cameras in Rockland County: Safety Tool or Privacy Concern?

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5 days ago

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August 8, 2026

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Flock cameras have become an increasingly debated topic across the country, including here in Rockland County.

Flock cameras are automated license plate readers used by law enforcement to capture license plates and vehicle characteristics as vehicles pass by. Police can use the information to assist with investigations, including locating stolen vehicles, identifying vehicles associated with wanted suspects, helping find missing people and developing leads following crimes.

One of the cameras pictured is located outside The Shops at Nanuet in Clarkstown. A graphic from the website DeFlock also shows reported camera locations throughout the area.

Supporters say the technology can give police an important investigative tool and help solve crimes more quickly. Critics, however, have raised concerns about privacy and the collection of information about where people drive, even when they are not suspected of committing a crime.

The debate ultimately comes down to a question of public safety versus privacy.

What do you think? Are Flock cameras a valuable tool for law enforcement, or are they an intrusion on your privacy?

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