700 - 7th Street, Box 231
Hawarden, IA 51023

November 2000

Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Are They Necessary?

Everywhere you read these days talks about carbon monoxide and the dangers associated with it. How serious can it be? And what should I look out for? Hopefully, the following article will help answer some of those questions.

Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, highly toxic gas that is produced by incomplete combustion. It is important to know that carbon monoxide is deadly from the toxicity standpoint long before it reaches the combustible range.

Carbon monoxide comes from appliances that consume coal, oil, wood, propane gas, natural gas and other hydrocarbon based fuels. It is absorbed by the hemoglobin of the blood cells and replaces the oxygen of the red blood cells that your body needs. When carbon monoxide replaces enough oxygen, your body begins to suffocate from the inside out and may cause brain damage, comma or later, death.

The carbon monoxide concentrations and the effects from the concentrations vary from different levels of carbon monoxide and the exposure time. If you feel you have carbon monoxide in your building, you can call your local plumber or the city to test your home for carbon monoxide.

The carbon monoxide concentrations and the effects listed below are only a guideline. Effects can vary significantly based on age, weight and overall state of health.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors available from the Hawarden Fire Department

As a public service, the Hawarden Fire Department is offering detectors for sale. The cost is $50 per carbon monoxide detector. The City of Hawarden Gas Department recommends that residents purchase a carbon monoxide detector for your home.

If you are interested in purchasing a detector, please contact Jon Strong or Sonny Strong at Northside Body Shop 551-1614.

Good Information About Gas Leaks

Gas is an odorless and colorless gas. The City gas department adds odorant into the system so that leaks can be detected. Here are a few natural gas safety tips:

  1. Always operate gas appliances in accordance with manufacturers recommendations.
  2. If you suspect a leak. call the Hawarden Municipal Gas department at 551-2565 for aid.
  3. If you smell gas, avoid flame and operation of electric switches or appliances.
  4. If odor is extremely strong, evacuate the building and call for help from another location.
  5. Insure that only a qualified person turns gas back on and relights appliances.
  6. Be aware of symptoms of illness from inadequate air supply. They include: headaches, ringing in the ears, vomiting, fluttering or throbbing of the heart. These symptoms could mean a problem with chimney exhaust.
  7. If you suspect an exhaust problem, get fresh air, shut off the gas, and have the problem checked by an expert.

If you have a gas smell at your residence, contact the City offices and they will send the gas department to check out the problem free of charge. After hours call Brent Hamilton, gas foreman at 551-1357 or Brian Warner, gas assistant at 551-2179. In an emergency call the Hawarden Hospital at 551-1121 and they will contact city personal for you.

Just a few notes about Utility/HITED bills

Note l: Customers that have both Dity Utilities and HITEC phone / cable bills you may pay both bills with one check. Please be sure to include the invoice stubs for each bill with the check so the proper account can be credited.

Note 2: Reminder the "FA" on your utility bill is the fuel adjustment charge that was discussed in the October newsletter. The fuel adjustment charge is a pass thru cost of the increased gas cost we purchased to supply natural gas to your home. This cost has more than doubled since the same time last year.

REMINDER from the Hawarden Police Department

With the change of the seasons upon us, the Hawarden Police Department would like to remind the citizens of Hawarden of the winter parking rules.

The Hawarden Municipal Code states "no person shall park, abandon, or leave unattended any vehicle on any public street, alley or city-owned off street parking area through the duration of any snowfall, snowstorm, or ice storm and the twelve hour period after the cessation of the same, except upon streets which have been fully opened."

The purpose of the ordinance is to ensure that the city crews can clean the snow off the streets without the danger of any vehicles obstructions.

Failure to remove vehicles from the streets will result in a parking ticket being issued to the vehicle owner with a fine of $10.00. There is also the possibility of the vehicle being towed at the owner's expense.

The Hawarden Police Department recommends that all vehicle owners make plans early on where they will park their vehicles so there is not a problem at the last minute. The vehicles can be parked back on the roadway only if the street is cleared from curb to curb.
If there is an emergency and the vehicle cannot possibly be moved, the owner should contact the police department so we can make appropriate arrangements.

Living Windows

Mark your calendars for living windows 2000 on Saturday, December 9, 2000 from 6-8 PM.
This year's theme, "Christmas Through The Centuries," will be displayed in 30 and more windows. As you walk down the street, four warming stations will treat you with hot coffee, hot cider and cookies.

This year, enjoy a horse drawn ride through main-street, free Kiwanis mini pancakes, a cookie walk, bake sale, bell Choir, carolers, community band, street drums, electric keyboard, live nativity, little Miss Sioux River Days and her court, roast marshmallows and hotdogs, free popcorn, electric train display and Santa Claus.

Also if you or an organization you belong to would like to decorate and/or be in a live window call Chamber offices at 551-2233 to sign up. Thank You.