Nicor Gas Urges Illinois Residents to Call 811 Before Digging (Naperville, IL) – Nicor Gas is reminding homeowners, contractors and communities across Northern Illinois to contact 811 before beginning any digging project as part of National 811 Day on Aug. 11.
The annual observance highlights the importance of identifying underground utility lines before breaking ground. Nicor Gas officials warn that projects ranging from planting trees and installing fences to building decks and conducting major excavation can damage underground infrastructure if proper precautions are not taken.
“At Nicor Gas, safety is at the center of everything we do,” said Pat Whiteside, senior vice president of operations at Nicor Gas. “National 811 Day serves as an important reminder that every digging project — no matter the size — begins with contacting 811. Taking this simple, free step helps protect people, property and the critical underground infrastructure our communities rely on every day.”
Nicor Gas encourages residents to follow its “CARE” approach to safe digging.
Before starting a project, residents should call or click before they dig by contacting JULIE, Illinois’ one-call center, at 811 or through illinois1call.com at least three business days before digging. The free service allows underground utility lines, including natural gas, electric, water, sewer and telecommunications lines, to be identified and marked.
Residents should then allow time for marking. Professional locators will mark the approximate locations of underground utilities with color-coded paint or flags. Yellow markings identify natural gas facilities.
Once utilities have been marked, residents should respect the marks and use hand tools when digging near identified utility lines to reduce the risk of accidental damage.
Finally, residents should excavate carefully, keeping utility markings visible throughout the project. If markings fade or are disturbed, Nicor Gas advises contacting 811 to have them refreshed.
Despite ongoing public awareness efforts, millions of Americans reportedly undertake digging projects each year without contacting 811, increasing the potential for utility damage, service disruptions, injuries and costly repairs.
Nicor Gas also reminds residents that if a natural gas line is damaged or a person smells natural gas — often described as a rotten-egg odor — they should immediately leave the area and then call 911 and the Nicor Gas emergency line at 1-888-642-6748.
More information about safe digging and natural gas safety is available at nicorgas.com/811.
Nicor Gas Urges Illinois Residents to Call 811 Before Digging
