Carbon Monoxide Poisoning And Space Heater Fires Are A Concern During Winter Months
(Le Mars) — When frigid cold temperatures occur, fire departments across the nation usually are called to two types of common emergencies, carbon monoxide poisoning, and fires as a result of space heaters. The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department is no different. On Wednesday, the local fire and rescue unit was summoned to Seney for a carbon monoxide alarm, and on the morning of Christmas Eve, a mobile home trailer at the Ardent Acres trailer park at Le Mars was destroyed as a result of a space heater sitting too close to a blanket. Le Mars Fire and Rescue Chief Dave Schipper says everyone should have a carbon monoxide detector in their homes.
Schipper says when people close up their homes because of the cold weather, and there is little ventilation, that is when carbon monoxide calls become a common occurrence.
The Le Mars Fire Chief says a couple was transported to the hospital because their home had more than 400 parts per million of carbon monoxide. Schipper says anything above 35 parts per million can be dangerous.
Schipper says without an approved carbon monoxide detector, people may not know they have a carbon monoxide problem.
Schipper says always make certain you have proper ventilation during the winter months.
As for space heaters, Schipper says heaters should be plugged in directly to a wall socket without the use of extension cords, and they should be positioned so they are away from any combustibles.
Schipper says newer made space heaters have been manufactured to be much safer.
Schipper says space heaters should be at least three feet away from anything.
The fire official says to never operate a space heater if you leave your home of office.
Weiler Announced as Park Place Estates Assisted Living Manager
(Le Mars) — Floyd Valley Healthcare CNO Tara Geddes announced that Laura Weiler, RN, BSN, LNHA will be the next Park Place Estates Assisted Living Manager beginning January 10, 2022. In this position, Weiler will manage the care and needs of residents that are housed in the 30 apartments at Park Place Estates.
Weiler received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Briar Cliff University. She obtained her Nursing Home Administrator License in 2014. Weiler began her career as a Resident Companion at Park Place Estates prior to holding director of nursing positions at two local nursing homes. She has served as Floyd Valley Community Health’s homemaker coordinator and home health quality improvement coordinator for the last five years.
“Laura will be an asset to Park Place Estates Assisted Living. As she continued her education, her passion in helping the seniors in our communities has remained constant,” states Geddes. “We have a great team in place at Park Place and look forward to excellent care continuing for our residents.”
Weiler, her husband Eric and their two children live in Le Mars. She enjoys walking, summer trips to Yankton and watching the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Iowa Doctors Urge ER Visits Only For Real Emergencies
(Iowa City, IA) — Health officials are urging Iowans to think twice about going to the emergency room for non-emergencies, as COVID-19 hospitalizations set record highs along with large numbers of respiratory virus infections and flu cases. Doctor Theresa Brennan, chief medical officer for U-I Hospitals and Clinic, says to visit an urgent care clinic if it’s a less pressing medical issues. Doctor Brennan says an urgent care is a great place to go when you might need stitches, or you might need an X-ray or you might need some minor lab tests or you might need some I-V fluid. Brennan says the emergency room should be reserved for those who are most ill, having strokes, heart attacks, major traumas or head injuries.
UnityPoint Health to Administer Home COVID Vaccines in Black Hawk County
(Waterloo, IA) — UnityPoint Health is working with Black Hawk County Public Health to administer COVID vaccinations at homes in the area. Officials say it’s part of an ongoing effort to provide vaccines to all residents who are eligible for a COVID shot. UnityPoint deployed a mobile vaccination vehicle last year that traveled to areas of need, homes and businesses. A total of 625 vaccines were given at homes in Black Hawk County. Appointments need to be scheduled by calling (319-226-2600).
Des Moines Black Liberation Leader Running For Iowa House
(Des Moines, IA) — A leader of the Des Moines Black Liberation Movement is running for the Iowa House. Jaylen Cavil says he’s a Democratic candidate for House District 36. Cavil said in a statement that he is “running for this seat to take the fight for racial and economic justice into the legislature.” He was charged last year with disorderly conduct stemming from a 2020 protest, but that charge was later dropped by a Polk County judge.
Iowa Board Of Regents Considering Permanent Optional Testing Policy
(Urbandale, IA) — The Iowa Board of Regents will soon consider whether to make standardized test scores optional for admission at all three state schools. The Board of Regents will discuss the policy at its meeting in Urbandale next Wednesday. Testing requirements were temporarily paused in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic, but this would be a permanent optional testing policy. If it’s approved by the Board of Regents it will still need final approval from the Iowa Administrative Rules Committee.
