Atmos Energy Announces, “Chalk It Up to Safe Digging” Contest to Celebrate 811 Day

OWENSBORO, Ky. – July 22, 2021 – In celebration of 811 Day, Atmos Energy is hosting the “Chalk It Up to Safe Digging” chalk drawing contest to highlight the importance of calling 811 before any type of digging. Held every year on Aug. 11, 811 Day is an annual initiative led by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to ensure the practice of safe digging is echoed in communities by calling 8-1-1, a nationwide toll-free number, before any excavation project.

Everyone who calls 811 a few days before digging is connected to a local one-call notification center that will take the caller’s information and communicate it to area utility companies. Professional locators will then visit the dig site to mark the approximate location of underground utility lines with spray paint, flags, or both. Once a site has been accurately marked, it is safe to begin digging around the marked areas.

“We invite all ages to get creative and enter the ‘Chalk It Up to Safe Digging’ contest,” said Kay Coomes, Atmos Energy manager of public affairs. “Digging without knowing the location of underground utilities can result in serious injuries, inconvenient service disruptions and costly repairs when natural gas, electric, communications, water and sewer lines are damaged. Help keep our communities safe by promoting the importance of safe digging on 811 Day and all year round.”

Starting today and continuing through Aug. 6, anyone can enter the “Chalk It Up to Safe Digging” contest:

Grab plenty of sidewalk chalk and head outdoors.
Pick a location on your property such as a patio, sidewalk, or driveway.
Ready, set, draw! Gus the Gopher loves the 811 logo and any artwork that promotes safe digging, so get creative!
Take a photo and upload your chalk drawing online at atmosenergy.com/contest.

Eight winners will be chosen at random to win a $100 gift card to a local hardware store of their choice, and winners will be announced on Aug. 11 – 811 Day. Visit atmosenergy.com/contest for more details.