April has been proclaimed National Safe Digging Month, both by the MLGW Board of Commissioners and MLGW’s President and CEO, as well as Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and states across America. The Proclamation reminds us that our community’s safety is very important. It seeks to remind and inform everyone about the importance of engaging in safe digging by calling 811 to have all underground lines – utilities, cable, gas and electricity - marked before residents, homeowners or contractors commence any digging.

April is a month when many homeowners, residents and contractors dig, excavate, build, landscape and garden. If there are plans to dig on your property at any time, whether it’s for fence posts, trees, gardening, a home addition, a deck, construction or whatever, always call to get your utility lines located and marked first. Call 811 Before You Dig! Stay safe this April and the rest of the year.

Safe Digging Month reminds residents, homeowners and contractors to plan ahead and always call 811 first before starting any digging project. National Safe Digging Month is formally recognized by the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, and has traditionally earned the support from nearly every state governor and communities across the country. A national survey revealed that 42 percent of homeowners who plan to dig each year won’t call 811, putting their families, neighbors and their communities at risk.

When you call 811, the national safe digging hotline, before a shovel is turned or a backhoe begins to excavate, MLGW, cable and phone companies will come out and mark your utility and gas lines for free. You should always allow 72 hours (three business days) for your lines to be marked before any digging. Take photos of the markings for your records, but call again for any future digs.

Always check to make sure your contractors have called 811 and had your lines located and marked before you allow them to begin a job that involves digging. Striking an unmarked underground gas line or electrical line can be deadly, and utility lines could be at any depth.

Call 811 Before You Dig” is the important message the Proclamation delivers. It’s free, and it’s the law! And it’s smart… For more details, visit mlgw.com/811. For more information about Tennessee One Call and 811, visit tennessee811.com/.

MLGW is the largest three-service public power utility in the nation, serving more than 437,000 customers in Memphis and Shelby County.