April is Miss Dig Awareness Month! This month, and always, you should remember to call MISS DIG at 811 before considering any digging project in your yard.
Why?
Digging without knowing the location of underground utility lines can result in serious injuries, service disruptions and costly repairs when natural gas, electric, communications, water and sewer lines are damaged. Hitting an underground line can result in a natural gas leak or knock out other services to your home or business and result in fines, damage and more.
In fact, digging damage is on the rise and every six minutes an underground utility line is damaged nationwide because someone decided to dig without first calling MISS DIG at 811.Digging damage happens every day throughout the state, and not just from backhoes and other large machines, but even at the hands of your smaller gardening tools.
What kinds of projects?
The majority of homeowner damages are caused by hand tools like shovels when doing projects such as:
• Installing a fence, mailbox, deck or pool
• Planting trees and bushes
• Laying a patio
• Setting up an event tent with large stakes in the ground
Here’s what you need to do if you’re digging on your property:
• Contact MISS DIG at 811 or www.missdig811.org at least three business days before digging
• Wait until flags have been placed to mark your utility lines
• Leave flags in place until underground work is complete
Calling 811 at least three business days before digging isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s fast, it’s free and it’s the law.
Call 811 the next time you plan to dig in your yard and learn more at www.missdig811.org.