MAYS LANDING, N.J. — April is National Safe Digging Month, and Atlantic City Electric reminds customers to be safe and call 811 before tackling any outdoor construction project that involves digging.

811 is the nationally recognized “Call Before You Dig” phone number designated to help save lives by minimizing damages to underground utilities. One free call to 811 connects you to New Jersey One Call, which notifies the appropriate utility companies of your intent to dig. Professional locators are then sent to the requested digging site to mark the locations of underground facility lines with flags or spray paint.

“Our goal is to educate and promote awareness around underground facility protection and safety, and stress the importance of calling 811 before digging,” said Vince Maione, region president, Atlantic City Electric.

Avoid overhead utility lines when carrying long or tall items, such as ladders, scaffolding, tree saws and pool cleaning equipment by holding these items parallel to the ground. Please remember to look up before raising a ladder or similar object to be sure it’s clear of overhead wires. Touching a power line with any part of the body or most objects can result in serious injury or even death. Electricity can move through conductive materials such as water, metal, wood, aluminum, string and plastic. Certain critical clearances are required by law, and a minimum of 10 feet must be maintained when working near power lines.

For more information and updates, visit www.atlanticcityelectric.com. Follow Atlantic City Electric on Facebook at www.facebook.com/atlanticcityelectric and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/acelecconnect.  A mobile app is available at www.atlanticcityelectric.com/mobileapp.