Contact 811 before you dig
Whether you're excavating, gardening or installing - contact 811 before breaking any ground. It's the law.
Gotta Dig? Gotta Contact 811!
Digging and excavation work are the most common causes of natural gas emergencies. Property owners and professional excavators should contact GEORGIA811 at least three business days before digging to have all underground utilities marked.
Professional locators will be dispatched to mark the approximate location of the underground utility lines with flags, paint, or both free of charge. Marking the lines helps protect the underground utility lines, you and your family, and your community.
Keep each other safe. Call 811 before you dig.
Dig with C.A.R.E.
Nicor Gas encourages property owners and contractors to follow these safe digging guidelines and always dig with C.A.R.E. (Contact, Allow, Respect, and Excavate)
Contact 811 before digging: Before beginning any digging project, contact 811 at least three business days in advance to request that underground utility lines be marked. Professional locators will mark all underground utility lines for free.
Allow time needed to mark: After contacting 811, wait for underground utility lines to be marked before digging. Locators will mark the approximate location of the underground utility lines with specific colors depending on the utility. The color used for natural gas is yellow.
Respect marks:
Once lines are marked, use only hand-held digging tools in the area around the markings. If you are within 24 inches of a marked utility line, dig by hand. This will help prevent any damage to underground utility lines.
Excavate carefully:
Make sure the marks remain visible during the project. If markings are damaged or removed, contact 811 to have the lines marked again.
Smell Gas? Act Fast!
Natural gas is a colorless, odorless fuel. As a safety precaution, we add a chemical odorant called mercaptan that gives natural gas an odor often associated with rotten eggs. If a natural gas line is accidentally damaged or you smell the distinctive smell, call 911 and the Atlanta Gas Light 24-hour hotline at 877-427-4321 from a safe location. Do not operate any machinery or equipment that could cause a spark.
Know Your Flags
Proposed Excavation
Communication, Alarm or Signal Lines, Cables or Conduit
Potable Water
Reclaimer Water, Irrigation and Slurry Lines
Temporary Survey Markings
Electric Power Lines, Cables, Conduit and Lighting Cables
Sewer and Drain Lines
Gas, Oil, Steam, Petroleum or Gaseous Materials
Safety Activities for Kids
Hi, kids! I’m Sniffy. As a skunk, I’m an expert in stinky odors—like the “rotten egg” smell that’s added to natural gas. That yucky smell lets you know if there’s a possible natural gas leak.
Try these fun activities to learn more about natural gas:
- Kids Activity Books by Atlanta Gas Light Atlanta Gas Light Safe Digging Kids Activity Book
- Learn about natural gas in this word search
- Print my picture and color it
- Help me find my way out of this maze
- Ask your parents to help you with some amazing science experiments
Teach your whole family about what to do if they smell the rotten egg odor of natural gas. Everyone should know what to do if they think they smell a possible natural gas leak at home, school, at the mall—anywhere! Leave! Then call 877.427.4321 or 911 for help.
Partners
JULIE
JULIE provides a free notification service for homeowners and professional excavators to use to request the location of underground utilities before they dig.
AGA
The American Gas Association, founded in 1918, represents more than 200 local energy companies.
CGA
The Common Ground Alliance is dedicated to preventing damage to underground utility infrastructure and protecting those who live and work near these important assets through the shared responsibility of our stakeholders.
