In observance of National Safe Digging Month in April, Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) is reminding Region homeowners and professionals to contact Indiana811 at least two full business days before starting any outdoor digging projects. The Merrillville-based utility company says even common do-it-yourself projects – like planting a garden, installing a mailbox, or setting up a fence – can pose risks, as many utilities are buried just inches below the surface. Digging without knowing the location of underground utilities can lead to serious injuries, service outages, and expensive repairs, and accidentally striking gas, electric, communications, water, or sewer lines can cause significant disruptions to homes and businesses, a news release from NIPSCO said. A free 811 request is available online at www.Indiana811.org or by calling 811, NIPSCO said. “Failing to contact 811 before digging puts homeowners and their neighbors at risk of injury and utility service interruptions,” said Vince Parisi, President and Chief Operating Officer, NIPSCO. “We found that the top reason that more than 27 million homeowners don’t plan to notify utility companies before digging is that they believe their project is too shallow to merit an 811 request. That’s just not the case – you must contact 811 for every dig, every time.”
