NJ Updates: Events, Deadlines, Programs, Guidance, and More

Residents are encouraged to celebrate Independence Day by viewing fireworks at a professional display. While ground-based fireworks such as sparklers are legal, they can reach temperatures of 1,200 degrees and cause severe burns. There are many free, professionally managed shows available across the State.

Landlords of 1-4 unit residential properties in New Jersey built before 1978 must test for lead paint by July 22, 2024. If lead is found, landlords must remediate the unit before renting it out. The New Jersey Lead Remediation and Abatement Program (LRAP), funded by a $180 million federal grant will help cover these costs for low-to-moderate-income households.

Lithium-ion batteries power smartphones, laptops, portable speakers, e-bikes, and many other devices. While safe to use, they can pose risks when exposed to high temperatures or mishandled. Lithium-ion batteries can overheat, catch on fire, and even explode when damaged or improperly used, charged, or stored. Lithium-ion battery fires are very dangerous and pose a high risk of serious injury or death.

Scammers continue to target New Jersey residents with card skimmers. Thieves who successfully plant these card-reading devices on ATMs or point-of-sale devices can silently steal your card info to make fraudulent transactions. Protect your data:

• Use credit cards for improved protection over debit cards
• Set transaction alerts for immediate fraud detection
• Before inserting your card, examine card readers for signs of damage or tampering
• Choose contactless payments when possible
• Shop on known, secure websites
• Activate multi-factor authentication for online accounts