Miss Utility of Maryland/D.C. Promotes National Safe Digging Month

April is National Safe Digging Month, which serves as a reminder for homeowners and professionals, including contractors and landscapers, to practice safe digging. In observance of the nationally recognized initiative, Miss Utility of Maryland/D.C. – the one-call notification center for the Western Shore Maryland and Washington, D.C. – today announced results from a recent national survey revealing that 74% of U.S. homeowners plan to dig on their property this year. Of those who are planning projects, more than 49.3 million Americans will put themselves and their communities at risk by not contacting 811 before digging.

Digging without knowing the approximate location of underground utilities can result in serious injury or death, inconvenient service disruptions, and costly fines and repairs. Hitting underground gas, electric, communications, water and sewer lines while digging can have a major impact on communities and businesses. Whenever you are planning to dig, make a free request a few days prior to have the approximate location of buried lines marked with flags or paint by visiting www.missutility.net or calling 811 to submit your free online request.

“With the weather warming up, millions of D.C. residents are planning their spring home improvement projects. Whether they are a DIYer or hire the jobs out, it's crucial that whoever is digging contact Miss Utility prior to starting any project, even smaller tasks like planting a garden or even installing a mailbox or real estate sign,” said Scott Brown, Washington Gas Damage Prevention and Chairman of the Miss Utility Board of Directors. “Visit MissUtility.net or call 811 to have underground lines marked before digging to ensure communities stay safe and essential utilities remain intact.”

As part of National Safe Digging Month, Miss Utility of Maryland/D.C. encourages D.C. homeowners to take the following steps when planning a digging project this spring:

• Always contact Miss Utility of Maryland/D.C. a few days before digging, regardless of the depth or familiarity with the property.
• Plan ahead. Make a free 811 request 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 contacted 811. Don't allow work to begin if the lines aren't marked.
• Visit www.missutility.net for complete information.