Post by
Laurine JueAt least once each spring someone reminds me that “April showers bring May flowers” but it’s not the only guarantee that comes with spring – warmer weather also always means outdoor projects are just around the corner.
As you head back outside to put up fences or decks, excavate new gardens, and plant trees (among other things!) don’t forget to call 811 before you dig. It’s easy to forget that pipes, cables and power lines can be buried dangerously close to the surface, and one dig with a shovel or backhoe could strike a natural gas or electric line. It’s not only the smart and safe thing to do to call 811 at least two working days before you plan to dig, it’s the law.
You might already be seeing and hearing 811 reminders on TV, radio, and in newspapers, but it’s worth saying again. Calling 811 will prevent accidental dig-ins, as well as costly fines that customers have to pay if they damage a line. A call to 811 will send a professional to find and mark the location of any buried power lines or natural gas pipes in your yard or dig site.
In the last three years, the number of accidental dig-ins to electrical and natural gas pipes has declined by 39 percent and that’s a trend Avista hopes will continue! For more information on 811 and for other safe digging tips, visit
http://www.avistautilities.com/safety.
Help us celebrate “National Safe Digging Month” this April by reminding your family, friends and neighbors to call 811 before they dig. Stay safe!