With Aug. 11 just around the corner, North Carolina 811 is using the 8-1-1 calendar date as a timely reminder to residents: Always contact 811 before starting any digging project to have underground utilities marked. Whether you’re installing a mailbox or breaking ground on a major construction project, contacting 811 helps prevent accidents, outages, and costly repairs.

Every few minutes, an underground utility line is damaged because someone digs without calling 811. Hitting a buried line can lead to serious consequences—from disrupting essential services to causing severe injury.

Striking a single utility line can cause repair costs, inconvenient outages, fines, severe injuries, and even cause fatalities. Every digging project warrants contacting 811 by phone or online. From building a deck to planting a tree, every digging project requires a free 811 request at least three days before breaking ground here in N.C.

“On Aug.11—and every day—we remind homeowners and contractors to use 811 before they dig,” said Louis Panzer, Executive Director at NC811. “This simple step protects you, your property, and your entire community. It’s free and it can prevent a life-changing mistake.”

Digging soon? Take these steps to stay safe and avoid unnecessary risks:

• Contact 811 at least 3 days in advance—no matter the size of your project or how well you know the property.
• Plan ahead. Make your request early in the week for weekend projects.
• Wait for utility lines to be marked and confirm that utilities have responded to your request before starting any digging.
• Respect the marks and dig with care.
• Double-check that your contractor has contacted 811 if you’ve hired one. Never allow unmarked digging to begin.

To learn more about safe digging and to submit a request, visit nc811.org