Atmos Energy encourages everyone to practice National Safe Digging Month
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — As April is National Safe Digging Month, the local Atmos Energy is encouraging everyone to practice safety awareness before they dig.
According to Atmos Energy, more than 50% of outside natural gas leaks are caused by digging or construction distorting natural gas pipelines. Even minor nicks, scrapes or dents in pipelines or their coating can lead to a future leak.
Pam Hughes Pak, Atmos Energy's Manager of Public Affairs, said that with the arrival of spring, people want to work on home landscaping, but they need to be careful.
'If your backyard beautification project requires heavy equipment or power tools, before grabbing the shovel, make sure all underground utility lines have been located and marked,' Hughes Pak said. 'Digging without knowing the approximate location of underground utilities can result in disruptions to critical services, serious injuries, and costly repairs to underground utility lines.'
Atmos Energy and the Common Ground Alliance encourage anyone who is starting a digging project to call 811 ahead of breaking ground.
The 'Call 811' national service is free, safe, and required by law. Everyone who calls will be connected to a local notification center, which will communicate with local utility companies. Professional locators will visit the site to mark the approximate locations of any underground utility lines.
For more information, visit www.811beforeyoudig.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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