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April 2, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cynthia Messina, (702) 876-7132

Southwest Gas Recognizes Safe Digging Month

Carson City, Nev. – Southwest Gas and the Common Ground Alliance are joining together to recognize April as National Safe Digging Month. The purpose of this annual campaign is to remind homeowners and contractors about the importance of calling 811 before starting any digging or underground excavation project so that buried utility-owned lines can be properly marked and avoided. The call, which is quick, easy and free, helps ensure public safety and avoids unnecessary injuries and expenses.

"At Southwest Gas, safety is our top priority," said Byron Elkins, director of district operations for the company's Northern Nevada Division. "And that applies to each of us taking the time to call 811 before starting any digging project. Whether it is for a small project like planting a tree, or for a larger project that involves underground excavation, it is important to know where the utility-owned lines are buried so that you do not dig into them."

For more information on National Safe Digging Month, Southwest Gas suggests visiting www.call811.com/faqs and also recommends the following:

  • Always call 811 a few days before digging.
  • Consider moving the location of your project if it is near utility line markings.
  • If another location is not viable, respect the marks and hand dig within 24-inches of natural gas pipelines.
  • If a contractor has been hired, confirm that a call to 811 has been made. Do not allow work to begin if the lines aren't marked.

As part of its ongoing commitment to safety, Southwest Gas wants to remind the public that anyone who notices a hissing noise coming from the ground or an above-ground pipeline, and/or the smell of rotten eggs—even if the odor is only slight or momentary—should leave the area immediately and call 911 and Southwest Gas at 1-800-772-4555 from a safe location. In addition, California residents should make sure they have a functioning carbon monoxide alarm as required by Health and Safety Code §17926.

Southwest Gas provides natural gas service to approximately 1.9 million customers in Arizona, California and Nevada.

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