It's free, it's safe and it's the law!

April is National Safe Digging Month, reminding all of us to follow the mandatory law to "Call Before You Dig" by contacting One Call of Wyoming throughout the year before you pick up a shovel or maneuver a backhoe.

You must contact One Call of Wyoming toll-free at 811 at least two business days before you dig. The free service will send utility specialists out to locate and mark underground lines with color-coded paint or flags. Yellow, for example, marks lines carrying natural gas, and red marks underground electric lines.

Failure to contact One Call of Wyoming can result in large fines, responsibility for expensive repairs to public and private property, and put you, your family and everyone in the surrounding area in immediate danger.

"Public and employee safety are always our first priority, and we urge everyone to join us in putting safety first," said Shirley Welte, director of business operations for Cheyenne Light, Fuel and Power. "A seemingly casual project can end in disaster if you strike an underground utility line. If you won't follow this law for yourself, please call for those you love and care about."

The law applies whether you're a homeowner planting a tree or a contractor taking on a major excavation. The site owner and every individual, company and subcontractor must all call, even if you think someone else already did so.

Safe digging practices and other information are available at www.onecallofwyoming.com and www.cheyennelight.com and by calling Cheyenne Light's customer service center at 866-264-8003. If you think you smell natural gas or have other natural gas- or electricity-related concerns, the 24-hour Cheyenne Light emergency number is 800-246-1109.

"Underground utility lines may be out of site, but they should never be out of mind," Welte said. "Two or more business days before you dig, dial 811 for One Call of Wyoming. It's free, it's safe and it's the law."

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