In recognition of National Safe Digging Month, NIPSCO urges customers and contractors to call 811 at least two business days prior to starting any digging project. Calling 811 is not only crucial for your safety and the safety of others— it’s the law. Digging without knowing the approximate location of underground utilities can result in damage to gas, electric, communications, water and sewer lines, which can lead to service disruptions and serious injuries. In addition to the risk of serious injury, not calling 811 could result in fines up to $10,000 and the cost to repair any damages. Last year, NIPSCO reported about 900 instances where diggers struck their gas lines. Of those, 28 % occurred because the person digging failed to call 811. Safe Digging Month is dedicated to increasing awareness of safe digging practices across the country and promoting the use of 811, the free, national call- before-you-dig phone number. Once a call is made, a trained utility line locator will visit the dig site to mark the approximate location of underground public utility lines with paint or flags. NIPSCO utilizes two outside companies to assist with marking underground facilities for customers — Utiliquest and Consolid ated Infrastructure Group, LLC (CIG). Thanks to an enhanced offering, NIPSCO customers will now receive an electronic confirmation that their requested project area has been located. Visit NIPSCO.com/811 for more information about 811.