Small Projects Get A BIG Voice!

Spring is in the air and, with Ontarians stuck at home, that means people are starting to plan their next big [or small] outdoor projects! Whether you’re planning for a new patio or digging yourself a little garden, Ontario One Call wants to remind you to dig safe. Contact them a minimum of 5 business days before you start a project of any size.

Following the success of the award-winning “Get The Dirt” campaign in 2020, this year adHOME and Ontario One Call have partnered up with celebrity contractor and HGTV personality Kate Campbell to help increase awareness around safe digging practices.

Kate has worked in the television and renovation industries for over fifteen years, working alongside some of Canada’s top contractors with a long history of safe home renovation practices under her tool belt. With the recent shift in how people shop and consume brands, Ontario One Call needed a trusted voice that brings both personality and brand value to their campaign efforts. The partnership with Kate was a perfect fit.

Finding out what infrastructure and services are buried on your property, such as gas and hydro, is a critical step before you start digging for any size project. Kate Campbell understands just how important it is to contact Ontario One Call before you dig…and she wants to ensure that consumers do too. In fact, it’s so critical, it’s the law! If homeowners or contractors choose not to click or call Ontario One Call for a locate, they could be held liable and face fines for any damages caused while digging. 

According to the 2020 DIRT Report, published by the Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance (ORCGA), over 4,500 reported damages were due to improper excavation practices, 68% of those involving hazardous underground utilities.

Director of Education, Marketing & Compliance, Ian Simpson, says, “People often think that ‘Call or Click Before You Dig’ is for professionals or large projects only, like swimming pools, patios, decks and fences. But the reality is, if you dig for any reason, even to plant a single tree, you could hit a utility line causing costly damages and serious injuries.”

While Ontarians are working to keep each other safe by staying home this season, it’s important to remember that there may also be hidden hazards right in your own backyard. So, whether you’ve found yourself inspired by a project seen on Kate Campbell’s Instagram, or you’re interested in trying your hand at growing your own vegetables, request a locate with Ontario One Call 5 days prior to breaking ground. It’s easy, it’s free, and it’s one more thing you can do to keep you and your loved ones safe this summer.