CenterPoint Energy Inc.
04/07/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/07/2025 09:10
For National Safe Digging Month, CenterPoint Energy urges customers, contractors and community members to contact 811 to avoid striking underground utilities
For National Safe Digging Month, CenterPoint Energy urges customers, contractors and community members to contact 811 to avoid striking underground utilities
To stay safe and minimize service disruptions, CenterPoint reminds everyone to contact 811 before any digging project
Calender iconMonday-April-7-2025
Houston - April 7, 2025 - In observance of National Safe Digging Month, CenterPoint Energy is reiterating the importance of contacting 811 before starting any outdoor home improvement projects as well as following safe digging practices. Anyone planning a project that requires digging - including building or repairing a fence, planting trees, installing a deck, placing a mailbox or laying a patio - should contact 811 for a no-cost request to locate underground utility lines and infrastructure at least two business days (excluding weekends and holidays) before starting work.
"Before starting any outdoor improvement project, it's important to have underground utilities located and marked. Utilities can be buried as shallow as inches below the surface. By taking this easy step, our customers and community members are taking a critical first step in helping keep themselves, their loved ones and communities safe," said Al Payton, CenterPoint's Vice President of Safety and Technical Training. "No matter how shallow or minor the digging project, everyone can help prevent safety incidents and loss of utility service for their communities by contacting 811 to have underground utility lines located and marked."
Safe digging practices are required by state laws and help prevent damage to underground natural gas, electric, communications, water and sewer lines. Digging without knowing the approximate location of underground utilities can result in serious injury including death as well as service disruptions, fines and costly repairs.
Steps to take for safe digging
To prevent damage and stay safe, CenterPoint urges customers to follow these steps before starting any digging project:
Plan ahead! Contact 811 at least two business days before starting work on a project.
Make the request early in the week for weekend projects to allow enough time for marking.
Confirm all utility lines are marked before beginning work. .
Adjust plans if needed. Relocate projects that are too close to marked utility lines.
If using a contractor, verify they have contacted 811 before beginning work.
Smell natural gas? Act fast
If a natural gas line is struck outside of a home or business, customers are reminded to do the following:
Leave the area immediately on foot. Do not attempt to restart or move powered equipment or use your mobile device or any other item that could cause a spark.
Go to a safe location, then call 911 and CenterPoint.
Remain in a safe area until directed by emergency personnel to do otherwise.
Don't try to repair a natural gas leak. Leave all repairs to a trained technician.
Visit 811BeforeYouDig.com to learn more about the process to have underground utility lines located and marked. For more information about natural gas safety, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Safety.
- See more at: https://www.centerpointenergy.com/en-us/corporate/about-us/news/2020#sthash.4N7PFebe.dpuf