Kansas Gas Service Promotes 811 Day Safe Digging Practices Through Social Media Campaign

It only takes a few seconds to damage a buried pipeline, but the consequences could last much longer. To prevent hit gas lines and unnecessary outages, homeowners and excavators should always call 811 to have utility lines marked prior to any digging project.

That’s why Kansas Gas Service is joining other utilities in recognizing Tuesday, August 11 (8/11) as National 811 Day.

“We encourage safe-digging practices year-round, and to have a recognizable date attached to calling 811 before starting a digging project, is just another way to raise awareness,” said Dawn Tripp, Manager of Public Relations for Kansas Gas Service. 

“11 Days of Giveaways” Kansas Gas Service is hosting an “11 Days of Giveaways” contest on Facebook to promote public awareness about calling 811. Beginning August 1, the company started testing followers’ knowledge about natural gas safety with daily prizes that encourage safe digging, natural gas safety and energy efficiency.

The contest will run through August 11, 811 Day.

Kansas Gas Service wants to make sure everyone knows how to dig safely to avoid injury and protect the community from an outage. Underground utility lines may be found in their yards or below their sidewalks, driveways or streets.

By making the free call to 811 or visiting KansasOneCall.com at least two full business days before digging begins, homeowners and contractors are connected to the local one call center. Professional locators are then sent to the requested digging site to mark the approximate locations of underground lines with flags, spray paint or both.

Every digging project, no matter how large or small, warrants a call to 811.