Atlanta Gas Light promotes safe-digging practices year-round, and to celebrate 811 Day (recognized nationally on Aug. 11), it reminds residents to call 811 or to call Georgia811 before you dig. Whether a professional excavator or do-it-yourself homeowner, state law requires a call to 811 before starting any outdoor digging project.

“Safe digging is vital to the safety of our employees, public and the communities we serve, and to our commitment to delivering clean, safe, reliable, affordable natural gas,” said Emeka Igwilo, vice president of Operations Support at Southern Company Gas, the parent company of Atlanta Gas Light.

The nationwide toll-free number to have underground utilities marked is 811 and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Dialing 811 in advance of digging projects, such as planting a garden, tree or shrub, building a deck or installing a mailbox or fence, could keep your family and community safe, prevent damage to underground utilities and save on potentially costly fines and service interruptions; and it’s the law.

After a click or call to 811, Georgia811 then notifies the appropriate utility companies of the intent to dig. Professional locators are sent to the requested dig site to mark the approximate locations of underground utilities with flags, paint or both. Atlanta Gas Light encourages homeowners and contractors to follow the below safe digging guidelines and always dig with CARE:

Call or Click Before You Dig: When starting an outdoor digging project, customers are advised to dial 811 or visit georgia811.com to request to have underground utility lines marked at least 48 hours in advance. Requests to have utility operators mark underground lines, including natural gas, electric, water, sewer, telephone and cable lines, can be made 24-hours a day, seven days a week and is free.

Allow the Required Time for Marking: Before doing any digging, customers are urged to call 811 or visit georgia811.com and wait the required time to have underground utility lines marked. The approximate location of underground utility lines will be marked with color-coded spray paint, flags or stakes that correspond to the utility. The color used for natural gas is yellow.

Respect the Marks: Only use hand digging tools to uncover the area carefully around a utility when you need to dig close by. Also call to have the lines remarked, if needed.

Excavate Carefully: Make sure the marks remain visible during the project. If the lines are damaged or removed, customers are encouraged to call 811 or visit georgia811.com to have lines remarked.