Want to avoid spending a day in the dark? It’s as simple as 8-1-1.

Call 811 or 800-227-2600 from anywhere in the country two days prior to digging, and your call will be routed to your local One Call Center. Tell the operator where you’re planning to dig, what type of work you will be doing and your affected local utilities companies will be notified about your intent to dig. In a few days, they’ll send a locator to mark the approximate location of your underground lines, pipes and cables, so you’ll know what’s below – and be able to dig safely.

Remember, always call 811 or 800-227-2600 before you start any digging project! You’ll avoid injury, expense, embarrassment – and a very inconvenient day in the dark.

For more information on your local One Call Center, or to make an online request for utilities to be marked at www.usanorth.org (where available), click here.