Although the fallen leaves look beautiful for the first few days, after a good downpour followed by walking or driving on those same leaves, they turn into a hideous brown muddy mess. Not only do they look hideous, but they can also present some serious dangers that should not be overlooked.

Just a thin layer of leaves on the road can be similar to a layer of ice. Compressed leaves can affect a car’s steering, braking, and stopping ability. If you are driving in an area with heavy leaf fall, you should be aware of this and drive with caution, just as if you were driving on ice.

Fallen leaves are not just a hazard to vehicles, pedestrians, especially the elderly or infirm, should also be careful around wet leaves on the ground. Sloping sidewalks and driveways with wet leaves can be dangerous for even the most able-bodied person.

Fallen leaves can not only be dangerous to humans; acorns mixed with leaves can make dogs seriously ill if eaten. Most adult dogs won’t bother with fallen leaves and bits, but the inquisitive pup certainly will. Dogs aren’t the only animals at risk; horses can also be poisoned by fallen leaves. Red maple leaves are highly toxic to horses, so never dump a load of your collected leaves in a horse’s paddock. They would not choose to eat leaves by choice, but if there is no alternative, they may resort to them. Finally, fish can also be harmed by fallen leaves. If your pond is near a willow tree, you need to make sure that you do everything possible to keep the leaves off of it. In sufficient amounts, they can cause a buildup of toxins in the water that will eventually kill the fish.

In addition to the risks to living beings and animals, fallen leaves can damage the lawn. The accumulated layers of leaves form a dense mat that can smother the toughest grass, prevent new growth, and create disease-ridden yellow patches.