Call 811 Before Digging to Prevent Outages, Injuries
It’s springtime and that means warmer temperatures are upon us. Now is a good time to take a break from being inside your home and plant flowers or a tree in your backyard while practicing physical distancing.
April is National Safe Digging Month and a survey by the Common Ground Alliance found that nearly half of homeowners who plan to dig have no experience with the 811 process. Homeowners should always call 811 first to learn the location of underground utilities, including gas, water, electric and communication lines. This information is critical in preventing service outages and serious injuries.
Tips on how to dig safely.
Southern California Edison encourages homeowners and others working on outdoor projects to take the following steps when planning a project this spring:
- Always call 811 a few days before digging, regardless of the depth or familiarity with the property.
- Plan ahead. Call on Monday or Tuesday for work planned for an upcoming weekend, providing ample time for the approximate location of lines to be marked.
- Confirm that all lines have been marked.
- Consider moving the location of your project if it is near utility line markings.
- If a contractor has been hired, confirm that the contractor has called 811. Don’t allow work to begin if the lines are not marked.
Visit call811.com for more information.
