It’s National Safe Digging Month: Call this number before you dig

GULF COAST, Miss. (WLOX) - April is National Safe Digging Month, and it’s also that time of year when gardeners, contractors, and others start outdoor projects.

But before you grab your shovel, utility companies want you to call 811.

811 is the national call-before-you-dig number. Once you call 811 and make a request, professional locators will go to the location and mark where utility lines are buried so you know where it is safe to dig.

“Whether you are a landscape architect or a ‘do-it-yourselfer,’ if your backyard beautification project requires heavy equipment or power tools, make sure all underground utility lines have been located and marked,” said Todd Fuller, Manager of Damage Prevention for Atmos Energy in Mississippi.

Hitting a buried line while digging can disrupt utility service, cost money to repair, or cause serious injury or death.

Officials recommend calling 811 several business days before the project starts and wait for the locators to mark the project site with paint and flags. They also recommend you make sure any contractors you’ve hired have checked with 811 before work begins.

You might have to relocate your project if its near buried lines.

To read more, go to 811beforeyoudig.com.

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