West Virginia, Verizon Promote 811 'Call Before You Dig' Day

The Public Service Commission of West Virginia and Verizon used Tuesday's 8/11 date to remind people to call 811 before they start any project that requires digging. Whether installing a mailbox, building a deck, planting a tree or laying a patio, residents need to call West Virginia 811 before they begin, said a news release from the PSC. By calling the free nationwide number -- 811 -- anyone who is planning on digging can help prevent the unintentional strike of underground utility lines, Verizon said in its news release. The depth of utility lines varies and lines can move when the ground freezes and thaws or an area receives a large amount of rain, the PSC release said. The risk of hitting an underground utility exists, even when digging only a few inches. Striking a pipeline, wire or cable can cause personal injury or death and may result in costly repairs, fines or inconvenient outages, it said.