Other sound but basic advice is for people to use sand to fill pools where mosquitoes might breed, to empty and bury any containers that might fill with rain, and to store water for drinking, cooking and washing in covered containers.

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One example of the problem: U.S. soldiers once used bits from ancient Babylon to fill sand bags.

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You could throw it like a small javelin, or stab it into a piece of steak instead of using a fork, or you might take the ink cartridge out of the pen and fill the hollow shell with sand (just because you like sand).

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If people fill the bucket with pebbles and sand (i.e. the small things), it is impossible to get the rocks in (i.e. the big things).

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When that happens, and a sinkhole threat has been established, crews can pump a thick grout a mixture of sand and cement into the ground to fill the holes.

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