In case of a landslide follow these security measures

It is recommended to accept the following recommendations and security measures, before, during and after a landslide.

Before

• Know the area where you are going to build.

• Know the area where you live, identify zones vulnerable to landslides. 

• Have identified evacuation routes.

• Do not build houses in areas with high grades or slopes.

• Use soil management practices in crop activities and cattle raising according to the characteristics of the area. 

• Use the forest rationally.

• Do not buy or rent lots or buildings in areas at risk of landslides.

• Do not be convinced by fast promises and dreams in order to obtain a lot or a house; they probably want to sell in an area susceptible to landslides.  Consult with organizations that facilitate safe and legal housing.

• Organize and carry-out activities for prevention of landslides.  Thus, neighbors will follow your example

• Get advice before building your house in order to not run the risk of landslides. 

• Do not make cuts in the mountain if you are not completely sure of the resistance of the slope. 

• Do not build with heavy equipment in weak areas.

• Do not let water filter into the interior of mountains: open ditches, drains, and culverts that allow for proper drainage from the mountain.

• Fill the cracks of slopes with earth so that the water does not filter.

• If you live in an area with pronounced slopes, ensure that yours and your neighbor’s houses are soundly built to avoid that they fall on top of others. 

• To stop erosion that causes landslides avoid: BURNING AND CUTTING, FURROWS IN THE LINE OF THE SLOPE, OVERGRAZING.

• Protect the land by planting fast growing plants that increase rapidly covering the soil. These barriers should be horizontal along the slope.

• Plant equal level curves, that is, follow the natural curves of the land.  

• Protect water springs, flows, streams, and creaks by planting grass, wild grass, and bamboo, among other species.

• Do not allow garbage or waste to accumulate on slopes as they clog natural drains causing the water to filter where it shouldn’t, destabilizing lands. Use garbage collection services in the city. In rural areas locate a flat and covered area with your neighbors in order to convert garbage into organic fertilizer.

• Do not permit quarries or excavations that destabilize slopes and represent a risk for the neighborhood. 

• If you are in a high risk area, have a plan of evacuation for your neighborhood with an effective alarm system. Establish a plan of emergency for your family and neighborhood.

• Do not permit the use of explosives areas prone to landslides.

• Before the threat of landslides, preventative measures can be taken such as dredging river channels, dyke construction, terraces, sand bags, and structures for sediment retention. These projects must be constructed technically, as otherwise they can represent a greater danger than the phenomenon itself.  Your Local Emergency Committee will be able to provide the necessary information.

• If you observe a landslide advise the Local Emergency Committee, in the Mayor’s office.

• Converge with your family in a safe place where you can evacuate, preferably to the home of a family or friend.

• You should have whistles on hand in order to advise of danger or to request help in case you are trapped.

 During

• Do not stay in the risk area.

• Evacuate to indicated security sites.

• Wait for recommendations from responsible organizations. 

• If a few seconds count, take advantage of them and signal with an alarm or alert. 

• Avoid panic; it is your main enema. 

• If possible, help children, the elderly, sick and nervous people.

• If you could be the victim of a gradual or relatively slow landslide, do not wait until the last moment to evacuate.

• Attempt to warn all of your neighbors of the danger.

After

• Go to the areas of most security. 

• Apply mitigation measures given by the responsible organizations. 

• Do not step on rubbish indiscriminately, and be very careful of columns, walls and beams that have been weakened; they could be supporting structures which could fall with a small movement.

• Be very careful if you light a match or candle as you could cause an explosion from a gas or combustible substance leak. 

• Do not move injured people unless they are in immediate danger. If you must move them and you suspect they have a broken spinal column do not bend them, place them on a flat surface and move them very carefully.  If they have a fractured arm or leg, do not move the leg or arm. 

• If possible, collaborate with rescue officials.

• Try to not live in tents or temporary shelters, it is preferable to temporarily move to the home of family or friends.

• If your home has not suffered damages, offer temporary lodging to those affected.

• Pay attention to instructions given by authorities and aid organizations.

• Do not use public services such as phone, public transport, hospitals, etc. unless it is absolutely necessary.

• Apply preventative measures in order to not suffer the consequences again.

Top

Information taken from:
Costa Rica. National commission of Risk Prevention and Attention to Emergencies (CNE – initials in Spanish). Land Sliding, flooding, seisms. San Jose, Costa Rica.
General Department for Prevention and Attention to Disasters of Colombia (Dirección General para la Prevención y Atención de Desastres de Colombia). About land sliding http://www.dgpad.gov.co/acerca/fen_desliza.htm