Always call 8-1-1 before you dig.

Did you know that digging without first calling 8-1-1 ("Miss Utility") increases the chances of knocking out a utility service for you or your neighborhood?

Striking a single power, gas, water or sewer line can result in injury, repair costs, fines and inconvenient outages. And the damage occurs more often than you might think. An underground utility line is damaged every three minutes nationwide.

When you take the simple step to call 8-1-1 three days before digging, you’ll be connected to the free Maryland communications center. Professional locators will come to your digging site to mark the approximate locations of underground lines with flags, spray paint or both.

Every digging project, no matter how large or small, warrants a call. Installing a mailbox, building a deck, planting a tree and laying a patio are examples of digging projects that should prompt an 8-1-1 call from homeowners or contractors.

The call is FREE – a great price for safety. And, calling 8-1-1 is the law.