Entergy Arkansas is recognizing National Safe Digging Month, an awareness campaign reminding those who excavate or dig to call 811 at least two full business days before digging.
The focus of the month is to prevent serious consequences which could occur from digging without knowing what’s below the surface. Calling 811 before digging allows professional locators to mark the approximate locations of underground lines and help prevent undesired consequences such as injury, service disruption or costly fines and repair costs.
Adam Effrein, Vice President of Reliability for Entergy Arkansas, says “Whether you’re planting a new garden, building a fence, laying foundation for a new home, you must notify 811 to ensure professionals can come out and mark the location of buried lines. We want to remind everyone that safe digging practices are vital year-round to avoid service interruptions and personal injuries. Not only is it the safe thing to do, it’s also the law.”
If utility damage of any kind is suspected, leave the area immediately and call 1-800-368-3749 or 911. Signs of gas leaks include the smell of natural gas odor, the sound of hissing or whistling near a gas appliance and dead vegetation or bubbles near a gas line.
Before digging, call 811 or visit https://www.ar811.org/start-ticket.
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