Kansas Gas Service Celebrates Safe Digging Day with 11 Days of Giveaways

Kansas Gas Service is hosting an “11 Days of Giveaways” contest on Facebook to celebrate Safe Digging Day and promote awareness about calling 811. Beginning Aug. 1, the company started challenging customers’ knowledge about safe digging and natural gas safety with daily prizes. The contest will run through Aug. 11, 811 Day.

In support of National 811 Day (Wednesday,Aug.11), Kansas Gas Service reminds customers and contractors to call 811 before any digging project to have underground utility lines marked.

Digging without calling can result in damage to underground utility lines, harm to yourself and others, and unnecessary disruption of service in your neighborhood.

According to national industry statistics, every six minutes an underground line is damaged due to someone deciding to dig without calling 811 first.

“We hope that the 8/11 date on the calendar will serve as a natural reminder to put safety first by using the free 811 services before digging,” said Trey Pool, manager of Public Awareness and Damage Prevention for Kansas Gas Service. “It’s the safest way to know where utilities are buried in your area before breaking ground.”

No matter how large or small, every digging project warrants a call to 811 at least two full working days before digging begins.

Underground utility lines may be found in yards or below sidewalks, driveways or streets. When you call before you dig, the Kansas One-Call System notifies Kansas Gas Service and other operators of underground facilities to mark their buried assets within two full working days of the request. The lines will be marked with flags or nonpermanent spray paint to let you know to stay clear of that area when digging. It’s important to keep these markers in place until all digging is complete.

Visit BeADigHeroKansas.com for more information about 811 and safe digging practices.