AMES, Iowa -- How do you remove mold from a basement wall? Get the burned popcorn smell out of the microwave? Encourage your toddler to stop biting? Contact Iowa State University Extension’s Answer Line at (800) 262-3804 or online  (www.extension.iastate.edu/answerline/) or by e-mail at answer@iastate.edu.

“When you want to talk to a person, call Answer Line,” said coordinator Evelyn Beavers. “When you want ‘high tech,’ search our Web site or send an e-mail. Either way, you’ll get research-based answers to your home and family questions right now. The telephone hotline and Web site provide information and resources supported by ISU Extension specialists and university researchers. Consumers can be assured that they’re getting accurate information.”

Professional consumer and family scientists answer questions in the areas of child development, cleaning, food preparation, food preservation, food safety, home environment, household equipment, nutrition, clothing and laundry. Answer Line is an ISU Extension to Families program.

Beavers said in the past year Answer Line fielded more than 20,000 phone calls and e-mail messages and nearly 189,000 visits to its Web site. About 65 percent of the questions deal with nutrition, food preparation, food safety and food preservation.

The toll-free number, (800) 262-3804 (in Iowa) or (800) 854-1678 (in Minnesota), is 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 (800) 735-2942. Questions also can be sent by e-mail to answer@iastate.edu.

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