April is National Safe Digging Month - Call 811 Before You Dig

It’s the safe thing to do, and it’s the law

Every nine minutes an underground utility line is damaged because of digging in an unmarked area. The risk of injury or even death is serious, and the financial costs of repair, fines, and loss of service are high.  Remember to always call 811 before any digging project – it’s the law.

April is national “Safe Digging Month,” and National Grid urges the public to 811 before doing any outside ground work in order to prevent serious personal injury, property damage and service interruptions caused by accidentally digging into electric, gas, telephone, water, sewer or cable facilities.

“Dig Safe” serves as a single point of contact to notify National Grid and other utilities of planned digging, drilling or blasting. The utilities will clearly mark their buried pipes and lines prior to the start of excavation to ensure customer safety and to prevent damage.  The call is simple and the service is free of charge.

National Grid also offers these precautions about underground energy services:

• Never permit anyone to dig near your underground energy sources.

• Do not plant trees, bushes or shrubs near a natural gas line or meters.

• Never allow children to dig anywhere near underground natural gas lines.

If You Suspect a Natural Gas Leak, Call National Grid

Because “dig ins” are a leading cause of natural gas leaks, National Grid reminds customers to take the following safety actions anytime a gas leak is suspected:

• Evacuate your home and move to a safe area.

• Do NOT smoke, light matches or do anything to create a flame.

• Do NOT touch any light switches or electrical equipment and do NOT pull any plugs from outlets. These items may produce a spark that might ignite the gas and cause an explosion.

• If you have a gas range or oven, make sure the controls are turned OFF. Extinguish any easily accessible open flames such as lit candles, but never try to put out a fire you suspect may be caused by escaping gas. Leave immediately.

• Do NOT assume someone else will report the condition.

• Call 911 and National Grid’s gas emergency number from a safe location:

• Upstate New York: 811 or 1-800-962-7962

• These are dedicated Gas Emergency phone numbers. National Grid has crews on call 24 hours/7 days a week who will respond immediately.

• Provide the exact location, including cross streets.

• Let us know if construction or digging activities are going on in the area.

• Do not return to your home until National Grid tells you it is safe.