First Alert Safety Check: Call before you dig

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – As spring-like weather conditions move into the area, many start on their outdoor projects, like gardening or construction. That’s why April is recognized as National Safe Digging Month.

In South Dakota, it’s illegal to dig before notifying South Dakota 811.

In 2024, Xcel Energy reported 105 incidents in Minnesota, eight in North Dakota, and three in South Dakota where customers didn’t call 811 before digging. Officials say every time you dig, it requires a call.

“It doesn’t really make a difference to what kind of different work you’re doing in your backyard, whether it be shrubs, flowers, trees, or anything of the sort. You still have to make sure you have to call in,” said Xcel Energy community relations manager Eric Pauli.

811 looks to keep you and your community safe. Hitting a buried line while digging can disrupt utility service, cost money for repairs or worse.

“The first thing could be a fatality. If it’s a large enough power line or gas line, that size doesn’t really make a difference when it comes to that. It’s really making sure that they are safe and following the proper procedures so nobody gets hurt,” Pauli explained.

It’s also important to know what a site looks like after 811 has been called and to avoid tampering with the area.

“You see these flags and they’re different colors, you know, red for electric, orange for communications, yellow for gas and so forth. The biggest thing is to make sure you leave them in the ground because the contractors and homeowners or whomever called those locates in, they did it so they can dig safely. So, if you see those areas that are marked with flags, I know they’re kind of an eyesore to begin with, but they’re there for a reason,” said Pauli.

In South Dakota, homeowners and contractors should call 811 or submit an online request at least two business days before starting a digging project.

“There’s no cost for that. If you do have some private lines, that’s where some of those costs could potentially come in, but you just need to call in a private locator to have them come out and mark that, but essentially, it’s free,” said Pauli.

For more information on safe digging in South Dakota, click here.