Getting your green thumb – safely

(NC)—Gardening can be a fun family activity. In the warmest months of the year, many of us head outdoors to tackle home improvement projects and get our hands dirty in the garden. It's important to make safety a top priority before you put your shovel in the ground.

Know what's below

Whether you are planting trees or designing a new garden, it's important to call before you dig There could be utility lines or natural gas pipes buried beneath your lawn and it's the law in Ontario to determine their location before you start digging. Contact Ontario One Call at 1-800-400-2255 or www.on1call.com, at least one week in advance. They will coordinate with member utilities to locate underground lines, mark them, and leave a locate sheet providing instructions on how to proceed safely. This is a free service.

Planting trees

Trees offer many benefits for your home and for your neighbourhood. Privacy, cleaner air, shade, and habitats for wildlife are all benefits that can be enjoyed by planting trees on your property. Trees can also add to the curb appeal of your house, and even help reduce energy costs. As Enbridge Gas Distribution suggests, planting evergreen trees on the north and east sides can protect your home against winds and help reduce heating costs. Planting deciduous trees (trees that lose their leaves in the fall) on the south and west sides of a home can provide shade and help to lower air conditioning costs during the summer months.

Be mindful of the meter

When planning new gardens, or planting trees, be aware of your natural gas meter. Try to keep gardens and trees away from your meter to allow workers access if they need to read or work on your meter. More tips are available online at www.enbridgegas.com/safety.

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