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If you want to avoid being a landslide victim, the easiest thing to do is avoid building on steep slopes or close to edges of mountains. Don’t build near drainage ways or natural erosion valleys. Also beware of steep or hummocky slopes. If you are buying a home, look for the signs of weak earth below the structure - doors and windows that jam easily; cracks in the walls; unstable walls, walks, or stairs; leaking pools; fences or poles that are tilted at odd angles; and water seepage or bumps of earth at slope bottoms.

If you live in a landslide-threatened area, try not to water the slopes if possible. If there are large rocks on the slopes above your house, remove them so they can’t do damage in case they fall. It might also be helpful to plant vegetation on the slopes, so their roots will anchor the soil more firmly. Some people also cover their slopes with tarps in attempts to prevent the soil from slipping.

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