Weinberg Will Act to Guard Against Exposed Radiators

Trenton – Senate Majority Leader Senator Loretta Weinberg today said she will take legislative action in order to make sure landlords safely cover dangerously hot and exposed radiators.

The need for legislation comes after the New Jersey Supreme Court’s decision on July 31, 2019 to not hold a landlord responsible for the third-degree burns an infant suffered rolling from a bed onto a radiator:

“I echo the sentiments of Chief Justice Rabner, this is a situation where the Legislature must step in. With over 15,000 radiator burns in the past decade, it is clear we cannot rely on the current laws or landlords to keep renters, their families or their children safe. This is a safety issue and I know I am not the only one in the Legislature keen on taking action since the Supreme Court’s decision last month.

“We are drafting a bill and when the Senate returns from recess we will do everything we can to ensure scalding radiators are not left exposed to anyone, particularly children. New Jerseyans deserve safe, reliable housing and if Chief Justice Rabner believes, as I do, that legislation is needed to make their homes safer, then that is what we will do.”