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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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Domestic Violence Can Take Many Forms — Here’s Where to Get Help

Published

2 weeks ago

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October 4, 2026

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Domestic Violence Can Take Many Forms: Resources Are Available

Domestic violence is not limited to physical or sexual abuse. It can also include psychological and emotional abuse, threats, intimidation, manipulation, and economic coercion.

Abusers may use a variety of tactics to frighten, manipulate, isolate, blame or harm victims as a way of maintaining power and control.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or abuse, help is available. You are not alone.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

Domestic Violence Resources

Rockland County Center for Safety and Change
Hotline: 845-634-3344
Website: centerforsafetyandchange.org

The Center for Safety and Change provides support and resources for individuals and families affected by domestic violence and other forms of abuse.

New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence
Hotline: 1-800-942-6906
Website: opdv.ny.gov

The New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence provides information, assistance and resources related to domestic violence throughout New York.

National Domestic Violence Hotline
Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Website: thehotline.org

The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides confidential support, information and resources for people experiencing domestic violence, as well as friends and family members seeking guidance.

If you or someone you know is being abused, reaching out for help can be an important first step. If there is an immediate threat to your safety, call 911.

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Government

Rockland County Residents Urged to Check for Water Leaks

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2 weeks ago

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September 28, 2026

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A simple home water audit can help residents find hidden leaks, reduce water waste and lower household utility bills.

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — The Rockland County Water Advisory Council is encouraging residents to conduct a simple home water audit to identify hidden leaks, improve water efficiency, reduce utility costs and help protect the county’s long-term water resources.

While homeowners often focus on conserving water outdoors during the summer, indoor water use can account for a significant portion of a household’s overall water consumption. Small leaks, aging plumbing fixtures and inefficient appliances can waste thousands of gallons of water each year without being noticed.

A home water audit can help residents identify where water is being wasted and find opportunities to conserve.

Four Simple Ways to Check Your Home

The Water Advisory Council recommends that residents start by:

  • Checking the water meter: Make sure no water is being used in the home, then check the meter. Movement may indicate a hidden leak.
  • Testing toilets for leaks: Use dye tablets to check for silent toilet leaks that may otherwise go unnoticed.
  • Upgrading plumbing fixtures: Consider replacing older fixtures with WaterSense®-labeled products, which are designed to use less water while maintaining performance.
  • Inspecting irrigation systems: Check outdoor irrigation equipment for leaks, broken sprinkler heads and other problems that can waste hundreds of gallons of water during the summer.

Free Water Conservation Resources Available

Rockland County residents can also access resources designed to make water conservation easier.

Residents can visit EPA WaterSense for information about saving water at home and use educational materials available through the Rockland County Water Hero program.

Rebates are also available through Veolia for qualifying WaterSense® products. Eligible products may include select toilets, showerheads, clothes washers, irrigation controllers and rain barrels.

The Water Advisory Council is also offering free water conservation tools, including:

  • Shower timers
  • Toilet leak-detection tablets
  • Moisture meters

Supplies are limited. Residents can pick up the tools at the Water Advisory Council office, find them at community events, or request them by signing up to become an H2O Hero through the Rockland Water Hero program. Visit Rockland Water Hero

The Rockland County Water Conservation Project is funded by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

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