From planting shrubs to building a fence, many outdoor projects require digging. This spring, South Carolina’s electric cooperatives and the Safe Electricity program remind you to call 811 before the shoveling begins. This simple step could prevent serious injury or even save your life.
“Outdoor projects take planning and preparation,” says Molly Hall, executive director of the Energy Education Council and its Safe Electricity program. “Part of that preparation is planning to avoid underground utilities, and 811 helps both consumers and contractors to do this.”
The 811 “Call Before You Dig” number is a free, national line that was created to help prevent people from coming into contact with underground utility lines during digging projects. When you call, 811 routes you to your local electric co-op’s locating service. Make sure to tell the operator where you plan to dig and what type of work you will be doing. From there, it takes a few business days for a professional to come mark your public utilities with flags or spray paint.
For more information about 811 and electrical safety, visit call811.com and safeelectricity.org.