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Your Garden is Ready to Grow, but Danger Lies Below

Apr 4, 2022

Spring has sprung! But before you spring into action with your next landscaping project, call Missouri One Call or 811 to ensure you plant safely and avoid making a costly mistake. April is National Safe Digging Month, and it serves as an annual reminder that digging safely always starts with a call to 811.

Underground facilities, such as buried powerlines, natural gas, water, sewer, fiber, and communications lines, are everywhere and damaging one could be both dangerous and expensive. Remember, no matter how big or how small your project, every project should start with a call to 811. Through this service, a professional locator will mark your dig site so you can avoid underground facilities.

This service is FREE and required by law before any type of excavation or digging.

  • Placing a locate request is FREE. Call 811 or go to mo1call.com to make your request.
  • You must make your locate request three working days prior to starting your project.
  • Mark your dig site with white paint or white flags before contacting Missouri One Call.
  • Always hand dig within two feet of marks or flags.
  • Never assume the depth of a buried facility.

 

Facilities Located – Time to Dig!

Landscaping can be rewarding but also dangerous. After a professional locator has marked your dig site, keep these safety tips in mind as you dig in.

Keep yourself safe by wearing the appropriate gear, like protective gloves and non-skid, steel-toed shoes. Always wear the appropriate eye and ear protection. Remember, once you lose your hearing, it is gone for good. If you are using pesticides or fertilizers, wear long sleeves, long pants, rubber boots and gloves, and eye protection.

Keep your body up to task by staying hydrated, taking breaks, and not taking on more than you can handle.

Play it safe around electricity. Never use electrical equipment, such as electric mowers, edgers, or trimmers, on wet or damp surfaces. If you are using an extension cord, make sure it is UL-approved for the required power and is certified for outdoor use.

Finally, when it comes to equipment that requires gasoline, always fill the machinery outdoors and never when it is operating or hot from use.