Planning a spring project? Don’t skip the most important step

April is National Safe Digging Month, and as the ground thaws and home improvement season kicks off, we are joining the national effort to remind customers and contractors that "safe digging" starts before the first shovel hits the dirt.

According to a recent national study by the Common Ground Alliance, nearly 74% of homeowners plan to tackle an outdoor project involving digging this year. However, an estimated 10 million Americans plan to skip the most critical step: contacting 811.

Whether you are planting a tree, installing a fence or digging post holes for a new deck, striking an underground utility line is a preventable disaster that can lead to:

• Serious or fatal injury.
• Utility outages.
• Massive repair bills.

The danger is closer than you think

A common mistake is assuming that shallow projects are safe. However, utility lines can be buried just inches below the surface, well within reach of a standard garden spade.

Five tips for a safe project

To protect yourself, your family, and your neighbors this spring and all year long, keep these important tips in mind:

1. Plan ahead by calling 811 or creating a ticket at colorado811.org at least three business days before you dig. Submit your request on Monday or Tuesday for work planned for the upcoming weekend.
2. Use the online ticket system to verify that all utilities have responded to your request before breaking ground.
3. If you've hired a pro, confirm they have contacted 811 before they start. Don't allow work to begin until the lines are marked.
4. Consider moving your project location if it sits directly over utility line markings to avoid unnecessary risk.
5. Always hand-dig with caution when working within 18 inches of any marked area.