With more time spent at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, many residents have taken advantage of their free time during the last year by focusing on home improvement projects like installing a new mailbox, planting a tree, or building the patio deck of their dreams. However, the simplest of at-home projects can take a turn for the worse if homeowners forget one very important step – to call 811 before they dig.
Every year, August 11, or “811 Day,” serves as a convenient reminder to dial 811 before any digging, construction, or excavation project. And, as August 11 approaches, Lake Apopka Natural Gas District (LANGD) encourages residents in its member cities to learn more about calling 811 and why it’s important to contact the local service center before beginning even the simplest of digging projects.
If you’re unfamiliar with 811, now is the perfect time to learn. In Florida, residents must call 811 at least two business days prior to digging to connect with the local call center, Sunshine 811. If residents prefer to submit their request electronically, they also have the option to do so at www.sushine811.com.
After connecting with an 811 service member, Sunshine 811 notifies the appropriate utility companies of the intent to dig and sends professional locators to the digging site free of charge to mark the approximate locations of underground lines with flags, spray paint or both.
Because the depth of natural gas pipelines and other underground utility lines can vary due to erosion, previous digging projects and uneven surfaces, Sunshine 811 takes the guesswork out of where those lines are located and clearly marks them for safe digging.
Every few minutes, an underground utility line is damaged because someone decided to dig without calling 811. Striking a single line can cause injury, repair costs, inconvenient outages and, in some areas, even fines. Keep in mind that every digging project, no matter how large or small, warrants contacting 811 by phone or online. This simple act of prevention allows you to not only protect yourself, but also other members of your community.
With more than 26,000 residential, business, and industrial customers, LANGD keeps safety and security of the communities it serves top-of-mind, every day. In fact, LANGD’s Administrator of Regulatory and Safety Compliance, Terrill Booker, is a member of the Florida 811 Board and advocates for safe digging throughout the District’s member cities and across the state.
For more information and resources about calling 811 in Florida, visit www.sunshine811.com or contact a member of the LANGD service dispatch at (407) 656-2734 x 704 custsvc@langd.org or visit www.langd.org.
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