April is Safe Digging Month!

Safe Digging Month is an opportunity to remind homeowners and contractors to always make the call to 811 at least three business days in advance of any digging project to have underground utility lines marked.

There are more than 20 million miles of underground utilities in the U.S., including electric, gas, cable television, internet, water, and sewer. Every digging project, no matter how large or small, warrants a call to 811 as the depth of utility lines can vary for a number of reasons such as erosion, previous digging projects, and uneven surfaces. The risk can exist just inches below the surface.

There is no charge to homeowners to have underground utilities marked. The 811 operator will ask brief questions about how to contact you, where you are planning to dig, and what type of work you will be doing. Utility companies will then send out professional locators to mark the approximate locations of underground lines with flags or paint.

If you have a contractor working on your property, make sure that they call 811 before starting your project. Ask to see the eleven-digit number for proof that the excavator has dialed 811 in advance of starting to work for you.

Examples of Projects Requiring a Call to 811:

• Planting
• Installing deck/fence/mail posts, drainage pipes or swimming pools
• Removing tree stumps
• Digging trenches
• Replacing driveways
• Laying foundations

Don’t Risk It

Nearly two in five U.S. homeowners will put themselves and their communities at risk this year by digging without calling 811 beforehand. Always call 811 before digging to avoid service disruptions caused by damaging underground utilities.

Visit http://www.ugi.com/call811 for more information about utility line safety.

Smell Gas, Act Fast!

An additive called Mercaptan gives natural gas a rotten egg or sulfur smell. If you believe you smell this odor, act fast. Evacuate immediately. Move at least the length of a football field away from the building and call UGI at 800-276-2722 or 911. Don’t turn anything on or off or use your cell phone until you’ve reached a safe distance away. Additional natural gas safety tips scan be found at https://www.ugi.com/natural-gas-safety/leak-detection.