On Oct. 4, 2024, the Digger Dog Utility Safety Show presented to the 3rd grade students at Buchanan Elementary School in Buchanan, GA. Digger Dog and Ms. Maria explained why they should always, “Play it Safe Around all Utilities”. They went over all the underground utilities and showed them the different flag and paint colors for each utility; Red-Electricity, Yellow-Natural Gas, Blue-Water, Green-Sewer, Orange-Telecommunications (Phone, Cable TV or Internet) and White-the area their parents need to mark where they will dig. They told them their parents should always “Contact 811 Before they Dig” to prevent damage and for their safety. They showed the students what happens if a natural gas pipeline is hit and what it sounds like when the natural gas comes out of the ground. They told the students that natural gas doesn’t have a smell, so the natural gas companies put a chemical into the gas called mercaptan which smells like a rotten egg. Ms. Maria demonstrated to the students using Power Town demonstrating why they should not play around overhead power lines or pad mount transformers. She demonstrated to the students what they should do if a power line comes down on top of a school bus or car; cross their arms, keep their legs together and bunny hop away from the school bus or car.
On (date), Georgia 811’s mascot, Digger Dog and Ms. Maria, attended Career Day at (School) (City State). They shared their career and told the (??) grade students; they travel all over the state of Georgia to elementary schools! Presenting The Digger Dog Utility Safety show. They encouraged students to “know what’s below and contact 811 before they dig.” Sharing safety information and having a bit of fun, Digger and Ms. Maria explained the importance of not damaging underground utility lines by digging safely, how to be safe near overhead power lines and what to do if the power lines are down. They also demonstrated the smell of natural gas and what students should do if they smell it. Digger and Ms. Maria also discusses what the colored flags and paint on the ground represent and that students should never move the flags. For more information about Digger Dog and his free presentation contact Georgia 811 Education Administrator Maria Copeland at mcopeland@Georgia811.com or 770-757-6467. 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.
