Aug. 11 (8-11) Serves as Convenient Reminder for Michigan Residents to Always Contact 811 before Digging

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Aug 09, 2018, 06:00 ET

JACKSON, Mich., Aug. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- With summer outdoor projects still in full swing, Aug. 11 or 8-11, serves as a natural reminder for Michigan residents to contact MISS DIG 811 before digging to have underground utilities marked.

"At Consumers Energy, we care about the communities where we live, work and serve. We are committed to raising awareness about safe digging practices by urging that everyone contact MISS DIG 811 to have underground utilities marked before they pick up a shovel or use power excavation equipment," said Charles Crews, vice president of gas operations.

Every hour in the U.S. more than six damages to buried utilities occur because someone decided to dig without first calling 811. Through June, there have been 961 reports of damages to Consumers Energy underground facilities, 125 of which were caused by homeowners. In 85 percent of these incidents homeowners did not contact MISS DIG 811 before digging.

While there is no requirement to contact MISS DIG 811 unless you are using power equipment, over half of utility damages are caused by homeowners who are hand digging.

Those planning digging projects should contact MISS DIG at 811 or submit an online locate request at www.MISSDIG811.org at least three business days before work is to begin. Utilities will then mark the requested digging site with flags, spray paint or both to show the approximate location of underground lines. The service is free of charge.

It is important to be aware of the location of utility lines because even when digging only a few inches, the risk of striking an underground line exists. The depth of utility lines can vary for a number of reasons, including erosion, previous digging projects and uneven surfaces. Visit www.call811.com or www.MISSDIG811.org for more information about 811 and safe digging practices.

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest energy provider, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.7 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com.

Did You Know?

Pro race car driver Joey Logano will help promote safe digging by driving a vehicle with the national 811 logo during the Consumers Energy 400 NASCAR race on Aug. 12 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn.

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SOURCE Consumers Energy