Whether you’re working on a home improvement project or taking care of your business property, be sure to plan your digging projects the right way – so you can get the job done safely and with confidence.
Before you start any digging, it’s important to know what’s below the surface. Hitting buried utility lines or pipes can lead to property damage, service interruptions, serious injury, or even death. That’s why you must take this simple but critical step: contact MISS DIG at 811 at least three business days before you begin your project.
When you make the call or submit a request online, service providers will come to your property at no cost and clearly mark the location of underground utility lines with colorful flags. These flags identify a variety of utilities – including electric, natural gas, sewer and drain lines, and communication systems – so you know exactly where it’s safe to dig.
You may notice yellow flags, which represent DTE’s natural gas lines, or red flags, which represent DTE’s electric lines. Seeing these flags doesn’t mean DTE will be doing work in your yard or neighborhood. Instead, it simply shows where underground gas lines are located, so you—and anyone working on your property – can avoid them and dig safely.
Before you pick up that shovel, take a moment to plan ahead. Here are the four important steps to include on your digging project checklist:
- Contact MISS DIG by calling 811 or visiting MissDig.com to submit your request.
- Wait until all flags are placed before starting any digging.
- Carefully hand dig within four feet of any marked lines to safely expose underground utilities before using heavier tools.
- Respect the flags – leave them in place and make sure children, pets or neighbors don’t disturb them.
These simple steps help protect not just your property, but also your family, your neighbors, and your community.
Remember: MISS DIG 811 is free, it’s fast, and it’s the law.
Learn more at dteenergy.com/missdig
