Comet staff report

Customers of Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) who are planning outdoor home improvement projects are encouraged to take advantage of a free service called "Call Before You Dig" to mark the location of underground utility lines. "Failure to call before you dig could lead to serious injury or property damage, not to mention the inconvenience of an outage," said Tim Dehring, general manager, operations, NIPSCO. "We want our customers to exercise care, caution and common sense and that begins by calling before you dig." The Indiana "Call Before You

Dig" contact center can be reached at 1-800-382-5544. Notification to the contact center should be made at least 48 hours prior to, but no more than 20 days before, the start of excavation. To begin the process, take the following steps for a smooth and safe project: (1) Outline your project area with white paint or chalk. (2) Call the contact center at 1800-382-5544. (3) Know the county and township where you are digging. (4) Provide the name and phone number of the person digging (if not you). (5) Give the utility companies time to respond. (6) Dig with care!