Call 811 ~ Can you dig it?

Have you ever been out digging in your yard and realized that you have just unearthed some sort of underground utility line? If you haven't, then consider yourself lucky.

To make sure that this never does happen to you, remember the number "811".

8-1-1 is a new federally mandated, easy to remember number that anyone can use to have utility lines marked before they begin a digging project.

Homeowners often make risky assumptions about whether or not they should get their utility lines marked, but every digging job requires a call - even "small" projects like planting trees and shrubs.

When you call before you dig, you'll prevent unintended consequences such as injury to you or your family, damage to your property, utility service outages to the entire neighborhood and potential fines and repair costs.

After all, do you really want to be the person who knocks out the neighborhood's cable service during the big game? Want to avoid spending a day in the dark? It's as simple as 8-1-1.

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, what type of work you will be doing and your affected local utilities companies will be notified about your intent to dig. In a few days, they'll send a locator to mark the approximate location of your underground lines, pipes and cables, so you'll know what's below - and be able to dig safely.

Remember, always call 811 before you start any digging project! You'll avoid injury, expense, embarrassment - and a very inconvenient day in the dark.