A relatively benign task, but leaf cleanup poses its own risks. This Fall let's consider leaf pile safety.
The Hidden Dangers Lurking Beneath Your Leaf Pile
Published on Oct. 28, 2024
Oh, fall is a beautiful season. Cooler weather, delicious beverages, and an excuse to wear cozy clothes—what more could you ask for? As we dust off our cute boots and flannels and settle into the season, we also begin facing this season’s other responsibilities. For me, that looks like piles and piles of leaves.
I live on a beautiful country road alongside both professional landscapers and our green-thumbed neighbors, Patty and Steve. The pressure to keep up is real. But, if you know me, you know that it’s safety first. Ahead, we’ll take a deep dive into leaf pile safety — how to keep kids, pets, and yourself safe while maintaining your property.
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What Bugs and Animals Hide in Leaf Piles?
According to The Xerces Society of Invertebrate Conservation, leaves provide excellent shelter and habitat for many insects, such as butterflies, moths, and beetles. The Penn State Department of Entomology details how these insects not only promote decomposition and vital nitrogenization of our earth but also pollinate and contribute to necessary plant reproduction. If you’re curious about how to clean up your property as beautifully as Patty and Steve while not disturbing all of this precious buggy ecosystem, check out our other article on whether to rake or leave your leaves alone.
Safety Hazards of Leaf Piles
When it comes to leaf pile safety, there’s more than just the hazard of stepping on a rake. With great biodiversity comes great responsibility. Understanding that there’s a whole world under our leaf piles means… well, there’s a whole world under our leaf piles.
Bugs
Those aforementioned bugs can include ones that bite and sting, so be sure to keep a clothing barrier between you and the leaves. This will help reduce some of your risk of getting bitten or stung.
In addition to excellent popcorn, my real-life Boy Scout brother had a number of Scout-branded pamphlets on taking warm showers after camping to wash off ticks. That recommendation absolutely applies here. In the United States, ticks are endemic. Once you or your family are finished playing in or cleaning up your leaves, make sure to put your clothes and your bodies in their respective wash cycles.
Mold
According to health educator and allergist Dr. Maya Gharfeh, “One of the biggest hidden allergens under those leaf piles is mold. If you are mold allergic, make sure to take allergy medications before you head out and wear a face mask while working in the yard this Fall to help prevent allergy symptoms.”
Sharp Objects
Depending on how you gathered your leaves, you may have collected more than just leaves, but also sticks, snakes, and contraband lawn darts. So wear long pants, gloves, close-toed shoes, and any other protective gear that makes sense for whatever you plan to do in those piles.
Leaf Pile Safety Tips
- Wear protective clothing, such as gloves, long pants, and close-toed shoes, and always keep at least one clothing layer between you and the leaves.
- Be mindful of any non-leaf debris you may have collected while gathering leaf piles.
- If you have allergies, consider wearing a facemask.
- Shower and wash your clothes after leaf pile activities.
For more information, take a look at how to best and most efficiently clean up leaves.
About the Experts
Maya Gharfeh, MD, MPH, is double board-certified in allergy/immunology and pediatrics. She practices in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where she cares for patients of all ages with allergy, asthma, eczema and immunology needs. She is published in many academic journals and active in several national allergy societies. Dr. Gharfeh is a health educator through her online handle @allergistmama.
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