8/11 Day Reminds Us To Call 811 Before Any Underground Digging Project

Aug. 11 (8/11) is 811 Day, an annual reminder to dial 8-1-1 at least three working days before beginning any digging project to have underground utility lines marked. This free and simple step can save lives and reduce risk of injury, repair costs, fines and inconvenient outages.

According to North Carolina 811, an underground utility line is damaged every nine minutes due to digging without taking proper precautions. Even small digging projects, like installing a mailbox or planting a tree, warrant an advance call to 811.

The national 811 “Call Before You Dig” phone number links residents to a local call center, which alerts utility companies of the intent to dig. Professional locators are then dispatched to mark underground line locations with paint or flags. These marked lines show you where it is – and isn’t – safe to break ground. Once your lines have been marked, make sure to dig carefully around the marks, not on top of them.

For more information about safe digging and the “Call Before You Dig” process, visit www.nc811.org.