Young Students Serve as Safety Leaders by Spreading 811 Message

Before your shovel hits the ground, remember the safety message coming from 4th grade students: know what’s below! Call 811 before you dig.

The students, who participated in Energy Safe Kids presentations, were able to enter a poster contest developed by the National Energy Foundation and sponsored by UGI. The contest culminated in two grand prize winners and spreading the Call 811 safety message to students’ families, friends, and community.

“UGI’s goal is to always keep the public safe. When we can bring this message to children in the classroom, it makes them and everyone around them in school, in the community and at home safer,” says Janet Toporcer, UGI’s Public Safety Administrator. “The children also learn what the paint marks and colorful flags in the ground mean and the importance of calling 811.”

Energy Safe presentations also include scratch-and-sniff stickers for children to learn what natural gas smells like, and what to do if they really smell it. If you smell gas, act fast! Get at least the length of a football field away and then call 911 or UGI at 800-276-2722.

Pennsylvania law requires that PA One Call is notified at least three business days before any digging project, so that underground utility lines can be marked.