1. Always work with another person.   Working along is not only dangerous, but it also means that you have to do more work.  Thus, when working with another person, assign the other person the job of shoveling the sand to fill the bag with sand or the job of holding the bag.  If you work this two people, also, when one gets injured in any way, the other person can help or ask for assistance.
   
   Unlike this person, you should always work with someone else.
   
   
2. Fill the sandbags only about 25-50% full.  Overfilling, or filling above this level, will cause difficulty when you are trying to tie the sandbags.  Also, if there is room in the sandbags, then it will be easier to pack the sandbags when you are putting them in layers.
3. Always fold the unfilled part underneath the bag.  This is done to prevent water leakage.  Leakage of one bag can make the entire pile obsolete.
4. Place the first bag with the flap pointed in the direction of water flow. The next bag should be laid by pushing the bags as together as you can. It is very important that you do not leave spaces between bags.
5. Lay one row high before starting a second layer.
6. Stagger the second layer on the first row. For visual aid in this step, we have included this image which demonstrates proper staggering.
   
   
   Stack your sandbags so that they do not leave any spaces between them.
   
   
7. Limit placement to three layers, unless a building is used as backing or you have laid the sandbags in a "pyramind" style, i.e. three rows on the bottom, two rows on the next level, one row wide on top, etcetera.
8. How to protect sliding glass door: lay a plastic sheet across the door and the ground in fron of each, making sure that edges of the sheet exten up the wall of the house and well past the width of the door.  Pile sandbags on the sheet by the bottom of the door.  Make sure that you extend them past the width the door.
9. Make sure that any un-protected areas, such as door sills, garage entries, etcetera, are lined with sandbags.  Stack them directly against the house when possible.

If you follow this tips, along with common sense, sandbags might save some of your loved possessions.