Know what's below - call 811 before you dig

Spring is here and with warmer temperatures on the way, this is the prime season to start home improvement and landscaping projects. April is National Safe Digging Month, and Entergy Texas is reminding you to call 811 before digging into your list of spring projects. 

National Safe Digging Month serves as a reminder to all people who excavate or dig to call 811 at least two full business days before digging to have the approximate location of their utility lines marked. This process helps prevent injuries, property damage and inconvenient utility outages.  

The focus of National Safe Digging Month is on preventing serious consequences that could occur from digging without knowing what’s below the surface – not only now, but year-round. Regardless of what you plan to do, how deep you plan to dig or even if you’ve called before for a similar project, every job requires a call. 

“Safe digging practices are vital year-round to avoid personal injuries and service interruptions,” said Stuart Barrett, Entergy Texas vice president of customer service. “Before you start your project, be sure to call 811 to ensure professionals come out and mark the location of buried lines.” 

The depth of underground utility lines varies, and there may be multiple utility lines in one common area. The risk of striking underground utility lines exists even when digging only a few inches deep. 

The State of Texas has its own 811 call center that can help you stay safe while digging. Call center representatives can advise you on how to submit requests to learn what utilities may be buried beneath the ground, such as natural gas pipelines, electric power lines and other services. 

After you make the call to 811, professional locators mark the approximate locations of underground lines at the requested digging site with flags, paint or both. Markings show the location of underground lines and help prevent undesired consequences such as injury, service disruptions or costly fines and repair costs. 

If you suspect utility damage of any kind, leave the area immediately and call 1-800-ENTERGY (1-800-368-3749), the local gas supplier if you suspect a gas leak or call 911. 

For more information, visit texas811.org.