NIPSCO Says August 11 Serves as Reminder to Call 811 Before Digging

Merrillville-based NIPSCO says August 11 – 8/11 – is National Safe Digging Day, a reminder to homeowners and contractors to always call 811 before any digging project to avoid injury and damage to buried utility lines. “Accidentally striking a utility line can result in significant repair expenses, inconvenient outages, penalties, serious injuries and even loss of life,” said NIPSCO President and Chief Operating Officer Vince Parisi. By calling 811 or visiting Indiana811.org , you’ll be connected to a state system that coordinates with local utilities to mark underground gas, electric, water and communications lines using color-coded flags or spray paint, NIPSCO said. Examples of projects needing a locate request include installing fences or mailboxes, planting trees or shrubs, and constructing patios or decks, NIPSCO said, noting that even shallow garden digging can be dangerous because utility line depths may differ due to erosion, prior work, or uneven ground. “NIPSCO proudly supports 811 Day and reminds all our customers and communities to call before you dig every day of the year,” Parisi said in a news release. For more information about safe digging practices, visit Indiana811.org or NIPSCO.com/811 .