Need To Know?

Iowa State’s Answer Line Has the Answers to 'Need to Know' Questions

AMES, Iowa --When consumers want answers to immediate home and family questions they turn to Iowa State University Extension’s Answer Line by phone at (800) 262-3804 or online at www.extension.iastate.edu/answerline/.

“Two-thirds of our calls are questions about food, particularly around a holiday,” said Evelyn Beavers, Answer Line coordinator. However, Answer Line isn’t a recipe service. Rather, professional consumer and family scientists field questions on food buying, cooking, storing and safety.

Answer Line also handles questions about child development, consumer management, home environment, nutrition and textiles, among other topics. The toll-free phone service has been available for nearly 35 years.

“We’ll answer just about any home or family question,” Beavers said. “We are a unique program, because when you call, you will speak to a live person and get research-based answers.”

Answer Line is part of a national Healthy Homes initiative for Extension. This provides emphasis on indoor air quality questions such as mold, radon, asbestos and general cleaning.

The Web site’s frequently asked questions allow Iowans access to information 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Consumers can search by keyword, browse the keyword index or select a topic area to find answers to their questions.

The toll-free service also is available in Minnesota at (800) 854-1678. Calls are answered Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. A Relay Iowa line (phone linkage for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals) is available at 711. In addition, questions can be sent by e-mail to answer@iastate.edu.

Hampton Today made possible by sponsors like: Michelle Hartman – Tupperware – 641-373-8880    Denise Passehl – Watkins – 641-579-6227  Long Branch Supper Club – 641-458-8027   Patrick Palmer – The Computer Guy – 641-420-1234   Seven Stars Restaurant - 641-456-5378