Be an 811 ambassador.
It’s no coincidence that April is Safe Digging Month. The arrival of spring means homeowners, landscapers and others are planting trees, building decks and installing fences.
That’s why it’s critical to call 811 at least two days before starting any digging project, small or large. No matter where you live, 811 is the phone number to call before digging to protect yourself and others from unintentionally hitting underground utility lines.
How it works
Call 811 from anywhere in the country a few days prior to digging, and your call will be routed to your local one call center. Tell the operator where you’re planning to dig and line locators will be sent to your dig site to mark the approximate location of buried lines with flags or paint.
“When you make the free call to 811 a few days before you dig, you’ll help prevent unintended consequences such as injury to you or your family, damage to your property, utility service outages to the neighborhood and potential fines and repair costs,” says Catreana McMullen, manager Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.
Catreana stressed that calling 811 isn’t just for homeowners. Contractors, farmers and ranchers also use the one call system.
You can learn more about 811 and Safe Digging Month at www.call811.com.