NEW YORK -- Before you reach for that shovel to start digging, remember to call 811, the free, national call-before-you-dig number, to ensure your buried utility lines are marked.

For the third consecutive year, Verizon is supporting April as National Safe Digging Month to bring attention to the importance of calling 811.

Verizon joins the Common Ground Alliance and its 1,400 members across the U.S. to highlight 811, which was established in 2005 by the Federal Communications Commission to prevent the unintentional strikes of underground utility lines while digging.

"Calling 811 is an easy and safe way to avoid striking any of the complex underground infrastructure of cables, pipelines and wires," said Diane McCarthy, senior vice president of global network field operations at Verizon and treasurer of the Common Ground Alliance board. "Calling before every digging project helps avoid harm to families and neighbors, disrupted service to an entire neighborhood and potential fines and repair costs."

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ)