In observance of National Safe Digging Month in April, local governments throughout Georgia take time each Spring to share safe digging messages with their residents.

As homeowners and professionals plan work around their home or job sites that require digging, it is important to first get utility lines located and marked. Before work begins, the first step is to contact 811 at least three business days before the start date of the digging project. Homeowners can visit www.Georgia811.com to create an e-Request or simply dial 811 by phone to use this free service and complete a dig ticket.

Required ticket information includes the address, county, phone number, type of excavation work and a description of where on the property the digging will take place. After the ticket is submitted, utility companies or their representatives will place colored flags and/or paint on the property to mark underground utility lines. Each paint color corresponds to a specific utility.

To raise awareness of the importance of contacting 811 before you dig, the City of Covington, City of Mansfield, town of Newborn, City of Oxford and Newton County proclaimed April as Safe Digging Month, with the support of the Newton County Utility Coordinating Committee (part of the statewide Georgia Utility Coordinating Council).