⚠️ Call 811 Before You Dig – A Critical Safety Reminder for Underground Utilities

Whether you’re planning a fence, deck, garden bed, or foundation project, one phone call can prevent a dangerous and costly mistake. Middle Tennessee Natural Gas is reminding customers and contractors across the region that calling 811 before breaking ground is not just a suggestion-it’s a vital step that protects lives and infrastructure.

🚨 Why This Matters

Underground natural gas lines, electrical cables, water mains, and telecommunications lines crisscross properties throughout the area. A single misdirected shovel can rupture a gas line, causing explosions, fires, or carbon monoxide leaks. Hitting electrical lines risks electrocution. Damaging water or sewer lines creates costly repairs and service interruptions for entire neighborhoods. These aren’t rare edge cases-they happen regularly when property owners skip the locating step.

📞 What to Do Before You Dig

The process is simple and free. Call 811 at least two to three business days before you plan to dig. Trained locators will come to your property and mark the location of underground utilities with paint or flags. This takes the guesswork out of your project and gives you peace of mind that you’re digging safely.

The 811 service covers all types of digging projects-large and small. Whether you’re installing a mailbox post, planting trees, or excavating for a major construction job, the same rule applies: call first, dig second.

💡 What Residents Should Know

Many homeowners assume that if they’ve never hit anything before, they’re safe to dig without locating. That assumption has led to preventable accidents. Underground utility lines shift, new lines are added, and property boundaries don’t always align with what people remember. Professional locating eliminates that risk entirely.

Contractors and landscapers are required to call 811 before work begins. If you’re hiring someone for a project, confirm that they’ve made the call and received the locate marks before work starts. If they haven’t, ask them to do so-it’s the law in most states, and it protects both you and them.

🛠️ Next Steps

Save the number 811 in your phone. When a digging project is on the horizon-this spring, summer, or any season-make the call your first step. It takes minutes and can prevent hours of emergency response, thousands of dollars in repairs, and serious injury or worse.