Call Before You Dig

Accidentally hitting utility lines is extremely dangerous and may result in serious injury or death. Such accidents also endanger others and can disrupt utility services for customers. Be safe -- protect yourself and those around you by avoiding underground utility lines that can injure or kill.

Underground power lines, communication cables, gas lines, water lines or other utilities may lie at various depths below the surface of your property or areas of planned excavation. It is important to be safe before excavating by calling the appropriate state notification center and allowing time for the utility companies in that area to mark the location of their underground facilities.

It also is important to respect the marks indicating the presence of underground utilities. Excavation should be carefully performed only after confirming that all utilities have marked the location of their facilities.

Each state has its own notification center and legal requirements regarding the location of underground facilities.

North Carolina state law requires anyone performing excavation to first call the statewide notification center's number before digging. Callers must then wait 48 hours while utilities locate and mark their underground facilities. Before excavating, dial North Carolina "One Call" at 1-800-632-4949 or 811.

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