Splash into Summer Outdoor Projects Safely
Sunshine 811 Offers Eight Tips to Help You Dig Safe for the Summer
DEBARY, Fla. (Dateline) – June 20 kicks off the official start of summer, and Floridians continue to spend weekends and days off to work on their home project checklist. Many of those items include things like installing a new fence, building a deck, refreshing landscaping or putting in a new pool. Whatever your outdoor summer spruce-up project may be, Sunshine 811’s got you covered with safe digging tips.
Before you start digging to plant new trees or build a fence, you are required to contact 811. When you contact 811 by phone or online, the organization sends your information to its member utilities, who then mark or clear the lines so you can dig safely.
“Summer is a very active time for Florida residents to get through their outdoor project to-do list,” said Wendy Schaefer, education and awareness manager for Sunshine 811. “They’re investing in projects to upgrade and personalize their homes, so it’s important to remember safety is first, and that’s where Sunshine 811 comes in.” According to Schaefer, many homeowners don’t realize that contacting 811 before they dig is a law in Florida. In fact, nearly three in five U.S. homeowners will put themselves and their communities at risk this year by digging without contacting 811 beforehand. Sunshine 811 wants to help educate homeowners about the process and other important things to know.
The organization offers eight tips and reminders to help homeowners dig safe for the summer:
Doing a DIY project? Contact 811 at least two business days before your project start so any underground lines can be marked.
Hiring a contractor? They’re responsible for contacting 811 before beginning your project.
Follow the essential six steps to safe digging: (1) Plan your project. (2) Contact 811. (3) Wait until utility lines are marked. (4) Confirm responses from utilities. (5) Respect the marks – don’t remove them. (6) Dig with care.
Ensure you have the right tools for the right project. In addition to the timeless shovel, your project may require some other must-haves such as a spade, digging bar, graft, pickaxe and post hole digger. Use caution as some of these hand tools cause the most damage to underground lines.
Installing a pool? After a soil test, underground internet, electricity and gas lines need to be marked.
If you’re removing bamboo and plan to dig up roots or use a stump grinder, make sure you contact 811 first. Those roots may have grown into the utility lines.
Know the difference between public and private lines. Private lines on your property are not marked by utility companies and are your responsibility. Learn what and where they are, such as water, sewer, irrigation, electrical lines to sheds, lighting and pool pumps, and gas lines to grills.
Use extra caution when installing a new fence or mailbox and landscaping, as they are the biggest contributors to underground utility damage. Roots can be entangled with lines, and lines can also be very shallow.
Contact your utility immediately if you contact or damage a utility line.