On September 23, 2026, the Digger Dog Utility Safety Show was presented to the 2nd and 3rd-grade students at Doraville United Elementary School in Doraville,GA.
Digger Dog and Ms. Sheneika explained why students should always “Play It Safe Around All Utilities.” They reviewed the different types of underground utilities and showed the students the flag and paint colors used to identify each one:
- Red – Electricity
- Yellow – Natural Gas
- Blue – Water
- Green – Sewer
- Orange – Telecommunications (Phone, Cable TV, or Internet)
- White – The area where their parents plan to dig
The students learned that their parents should always “Contact 811 Before They Dig” to help prevent damage to underground utilities and keep everyone safe.
Digger Dog and Ms. Sheneika also demonstrated what can happen if a natural gas pipeline is damaged and what it sounds like when natural gas escapes from the ground. They explained that natural gas is naturally odorless, so natural gas companies add a chemical called mercaptan, which gives the gas a rotten-egg smell.
Using Power Town, Ms. Sheneika demonstrated why students should never play around overhead power lines or pad-mounted transformers. She also demonstrated what students should do if a power line falls on a school bus or car and there is a fire: cross their arms, keep their legs together, and bunny hop away from the vehicle.
For more information about Digger Dog and his free presentation, contact Georgia 811 Education and Outreach Specialist Sheneika Hinesman at shinesman@Georgia811.com or 770-476-6035.
For more information about Georgia 811 or the Georgia Dig Law, visit www.Georgia811.com.
The number to “Call Before You Dig” is 811.
Do your part in keeping Georgia Safe and Connected. It’s the Law.
