COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Almost every day, Ohioans put their lives and communities at risk when they fail to have underground utilities located before beginning projects that involve digging. But this month, anyone who calls 811 two business days before digging can enter for a chance to win $811 simply by sharing pictures of their digging projects and using the hashtag #ICalled811 on social media. Best of all, the winner will have the opportunity to select a local emergency responder to receive $811 as well.

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"We want to create fun and engaging ways to spread an important safety message," said Dan Creekmur, president of Columbia Gas of Ohio. "Anyone who digs is responsible for calling 811, so we're launching #ICalled811 to educate everyone that calling 811 is easy, free and it's the law."

In 2015 alone, unsafe digging resulted in more than 1,200 safety incidents in the Columbia Gas of Ohio service area. These incidents occurred because those digging either did not call 811 beforehand or practiced unsafe digging methods. When someone calls 811, utilities mark their lines so digging can be done safely.

Throughout the month of April, nationally recognized as Safe Digging Month, contestants can post a photo of their digging projects on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #ICalled811. The photo must show evidence that they called 811 with visuals such as: locator flags, paint-marked grass, the OUPS app or any other mark of a safe digging project. Photos including the hashtag #ICalled811 may be shared on Columbia Gas of Ohio's Facebook and Twitter pages.

Columbia Gas of Ohio will select one entry to win an $811 Visa gift card for themselves and a second $811 gift card for emergency responders in their community.

For complete #ICalled811 contest rules, regulations and eligibility, please visit columbiagasohio.com/icalled811-contest.

No purchase necessary. See Official Contest Rules. Subject to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Terms & Conditions. Visa, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram do not endorse, sponsor, or administer the Contest.

ABOUT COLUMBIA GAS OF OHIO
Columbia Gas of Ohio, headquartered in Columbus, is one of the seven energy-distribution companies of NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI). Serving approximately 1.4 million residential, commercial and industrial customers, Columbia Gas of Ohio is the largest natural gas utility in the state.

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SOURCE Columbia Gas of Ohio