The Common Ground Alliance and its stakeholders have designated April 2009 as National Safe Digging Month. This month is dedicated to increasing awareness of safe digging practices across the country and to celebrate the two-year anniversary of 811, the national call-before-you-dig number.

Throughout the busy digging month of April, CGA and its members are encouraging homeowners and contractors to call 811 before they dig to prevent injuries, property damage and inconvenient outages.

Did you know?

• More than 256,000 underground utility lines are struck each year in the U.S.?
• 35% of all U.S. digging damages result from not calling before digging.
• Utilities are buried only a few inches underground, making them easy to strike even during shallow digging projects.

Here are some ways you can participate:

• Join us in National Safe Digging Month by calling 811 before beginning any outdoor digging project, large or small.
• If a neighbor is planning a digging project, remind them to call 811 before they break ground.
• If you have a web site, personal blog or or e-newsletter, you can post our "We Support Safe Digging Month" button on your profile to show your support for safe digging.
• Encourage your organization or company to sign a "Safe Digging Month Proclamation."

*If you have a support button still posted from 2008, please replace it with this year's non-dated support button.