Did you know, nationally every six minutes, an underground utility line is damaged because someone decided not to contact 811 before digging? Striking a single underground utility line can cause injury, repair costs, fines, and inconvenient outages. Every digging project, no matter how large or small, warrants contacting 811. According to a March 2016 NYS Office of the State Comptroller audit, as of 2014, New York had 91,181 miles of natural gas pipelines and 1,153 miles of hazardous materials pipelines. Between 1995 and 2014, New York had 194 pipeline incidents with 23 fatalities, 123 injuries, and $77 million in property damage.
With August 11, 2017, just around the corner, Dig Safely New York and its Damage Prevention Councils (DPCs) around the state, hope that this date on the calendar will serve as a natural reminder for New York State residents to always 811 before any digging project, to have underground utility lines marked.
Dig Safely New York Celebrates 811 Day 2017!
For more information on celebration activities, please see below. We welcome you to join our festivities and share on Facebook and Twitter.
6:45 a.m. — Syracuse, New York Television Interview:
News Channel CBS5’s anchor Allison Bybee and Dig Safely New York’s Kevin Hopper
7:30 a.m. — Utica, New York Radio Interview: WIBX 950 AM/Fox 33’s Bill Keller and Marcy’s Town Supervisor Brian Scala 
8:08 a.m. — History Made: Dig Safely New York goes Facebook Live for the first time ever!
8:11 a.m. — Rang in 811 Day with the Dig Safely New York call center and cow bells!
8:45 a.m. — Utica, New York Television Interview: WKTV News Channel 2 and Dig Safely New York’s Kevin Hopper
Syracuse, New York Radio Interviews:
SUNNY 102.1, Mars Hill Network 102.9 FM
Rochester, New York Radio Interviews: 95.1 FM, WHAM 1180 AM
10:00 a.m. — Announcement of Cats in Hard Hats and Decked out Dogs pet photo contest winners on Facebook.
Grand Island, New York Article — PSC joins effort to raise awareness for national 811 'Dig Safely Day'
Geneseo, New York Article — On ‘811 Day,’ A Reminder to Always Dig Safely
Syracuse, New York Article — Dig Safely New York’s 811 Day!
12:00 p.m. — Social media interactions.
Check out what’s going on around the state to celebrate and to bring awareness to 811 day.
