From Mirror staff reports

Dialing 811 is just a three-digit call, but one that can prevent costly damage, serious injury and even death.

April is “National Safe Digging Month” because it is a time when many people start outdoor projects.

Having the facility owners mark utility lines with paint or flags can help the homeowner or a contractor avoid unintentionally hitting underground lines. Common underground utility lines include gas, water, sewer, electric, phone and cable television.

According to a survey by Common Ground Alliance, a nonprofit organization committed to safety and damage prevention, nearly 27 million U.S. homeowners plan to dig this year without contacting 811.

Both homeowners and contractors are required by Pennsylvania law to call 811 at least three business days before any digging or excavation. No matter how small or simple a project it is, if a homeowner is doing the work, they should make the call. If a homeowner hires a contractor to do the work, it is up to the contractor to call 811. The request is free for homeowners and is included in a small annual fee for contractors. Whoever calls needs to have the location of the work ready, along with the type of work, details on how the work will be done and the expected duration of the project.

According to Chris Brown, UGI Utilities vice president of operations, making the call to 811 can save lives, even if it feels like a minor inconvenience to make the extra step.

“Safe Digging Month is a great time to remind everyone of the importance of getting your underground utility lines located and marked,” Brown said. “It could help you avoid a costly and dangerous mistake.”

“Calling 811 before digging begins is essential to keep our communities safe,” said Lynda Petrichevich, Peoples senior director of process operations. “Natural gas pipelines run under streets, sidewalks, yards and homes. What is out of sight cannot be out of mind because the most frequent cause of gas incidents is when lines are hit and damaged. We urge all Pennsylvanians to take the extra step for safety and call 811 before you dig.”