Piedmont Natural Gas To Tag Trees April 6 As Reminder To ‘Call Before You Dig’

Blackhawk Hardware, Girl Scouts Team Up To Educate Homeowners About Free 811 Service

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 4, 2012) – Trees and shrubs for sale at one local garden center this weekend will be tagged with an important safety reminder for homeowners getting ready to do some spring planting: Call 811 before you dig.

Piedmont Natural Gas is teaming up with The Gardens of Blackhawk Hardware and Girl Scouts from Hornets’ Nest Council, Troop 249, for the tree-tagging event Saturday, April 6, 2013, from 9 a.m. until noon. The goal is to raise public awareness about 811, a free service that locates and marks underground utilities such as natural gas lines, cable television, electric and water lines. Most service disruptions are caused by third parties such as homeowners and contractors accidentally hitting natural gas distribution lines while digging, according to Piedmont.

“Piedmont Natural Gas uses bill inserts, outdoor billboards and our website to get this important safety message out to the public, but the tree tags provide a timely reminder to people when they are getting ready to dig,” said Victor M. Gaglio, Senior Vice President and Chief Utility Operations Officer for Piedmont Natural Gas. “Calling 811 is a free, easy way to make sure your spring planting goes smoothly and you avoid the inconvenience, added cost and potential injury that can result from damaging underground utilities.”

During Saturday’s tree-tagging event, the Girl Scouts will work with Jody Shaul, manager of The Gardens of Blackhawk Hardware to make sure every customer buying a tree, shrub or tools such as shovels and post-hole diggers leaves with a “Call Before You Dig” tag. The Girl Scouts will also have an informative and educational session with Piedmont Natural Gas representatives to learn more about natural gas and how Piedmont delivers it safely and efficiently to more than 1 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

“One of our four main program focus areas is Environmental Education and Leadership, so this is a natural partnership for us,” said Katherine Lambert, executive vice president of Girl Scout’s Hornets’ Nest Council.

April is designated National Safe Digging Month as a reminder to homeowners, contractors and others who excavate to call 811.

Piedmont recommends that homeowners call 811 at least 72 hours before they plan to dig. In addition to planting trees and shrubs, Piedmont advises homeowners that the following activities also warrant a call to 811 before digging:

  • Installing fencing or deck posts
  • Installing basketball goal posts or mailbox posts
  • Installing in-ground sprinklers and water lines
  • Installing or repairing septic tanks and sewer lines

For additional tips on safe digging, please visit www.piedmontng.com.