Playing in piles of leaves should be fun. Please be aware of possible health risks.

Playing in a pile of red, yellow, orange and brown fall leaves is undoubtedly one of the most fun things you can do this time of year. Crunching over them, sweeping them into giant mounts, jumping in and tossing them into the air is the perfect fall activity. But is it always safe? There is always the possibility that there are insects (or snakes) in these leaves. And what about things like mold or other allergens? Should you let your kids play in piles of leaves? That’s what experts say.

What insects and other creepy crawlies are hiding in piles of leaves?

“In the fall, many insects find shelter under fallen leaves, including ants, various species of roach, and millipedes and centipedes,” Danielle Restuccia, Orkin’s technical services division manager, tells Yahoo Life.

She says deer ticks and American dog ticks are particularly common in the eastern United States, while wood ticks are generally found in the Rocky Mountains and Midwest. Stink bugs and future yellowjacket queens also sometimes use leaf piles as they go dormant for the winter.

“Ticks are the most dangerous pests lurking in leaf piles because they can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Powassan virus,” says Restuccia. “Each of these diseases can be particularly dangerous for children and can lead to long-term health problems if not treated quickly.”

How concerned should we be about allergens?

“An allergy to tree fruits, tree pollen, or flowers can actually trigger an allergic reaction or an exacerbation of asthma from playing in the leaves of the same tree,” says Dr. Jason Bellak, Owner, President and Allergy/Immunology Physician at Allergy & Asthma Center in Las Vegas. “This is due to the presence of cross-reactive allergens in different parts of the plant.”

According to Bellak, some symptoms of an allergic reaction may include rhinoconjunctivitis (more commonly known as hay fever), wheezing, increased asthma symptoms and contact dermatitis.

“Ambrosia pollen is a special type of pollen that has its highest pollen count in mid-September and can cling to fallen leaves or be thrown into the air by raking and/or playing in leaf piles,” adds Dr. Brynna Connor, a family physician and health ambassador at NorthWestPharmacy.com.

And that’s not all that should worry allergy sufferers. “Mites and other arthropods such as the red spider mite … can be present in leaf piles and can worsen allergic diseases such as asthma and rhinitis,” says Bellak. Even if the red spider mite does not bite, it is still a cause for concern when present.

What about mold?

Mold can even form in seemingly harmless piles of leaves. But how bad is it?

“Mold spores grow on the rotting leaves, and leaves that are wet from rain and/or dew can become a breeding ground,” Connor tells Yahoo Life. “Playing, raking, or even walking through moldy leaves can cause spores to become airborne and cause an allergic reaction and/or allergic reaction.”

Connor and Bellak both cite Alternaria, Cladosporium and Aspergillus as some of the most common types of mold spores found this time of year; They can all cause respiratory problems in people with asthma or mold allergies. Bellak adds that Alternaria and Cladosporium in particular are known to be strong aeroallergens, meaning those with allergies to them (or those with weakened immune systems) may risk severe asthma, including hospitalization, as well as invasive fungal infections.

So how do we protect children who want to play in piles of leaves?

Sure, there are nasty pests and allergens lurking in leaf piles, but does that mean we have to give up on these crunchy, carefree cannonballs? In a word: no. It is still possible to continue enjoying this outdoor activity, but experts recommend following the following safety tips:

• Consult an allergist: Bellak suggests meeting with a board-certified allergist or immunologist to determine what your child is allergic to and develop a treatment plan.

• Always have medication ready: Bellak recommends taking prescribed medications to control asthma and/or allergies and keeping inhalers on hand.

• Dress your child in protective clothing: Experts recommend long-sleeved shirts, long pants, closed-toe shoes and maybe even gloves to keep ticks away from your skin. “Parents can take extra precautions with their little ones by tucking pants into socks and dressing children in light-colored clothing to make ticks easier to spot,” says Restuccia.

• Consider using a repellent: If ticks are present in your area, Restuccia recommends treating exposed skin with a tick repellent. She says parents might even consider using clothing treatments to deter ticks.

• Check piles: “Give all leaf piles a quick check for beetles and/or insects or anything else that could potentially cause injury,” says Connor. She recommends checking for mold all the way to the bottom of a pile, especially if it has recently rained or been damp.

• Monitor and limit exposure: Limit leaf play time to a few minutes and watch for signs of allergies or asthma symptoms when children play.

• Check for ticks and bites: Once children are finished playing, experts recommend checking their clothing, skin and hair for ticks and inspecting their skin for bites.

• Remember to wash off: It is always a good idea to remove (and wash) any clothing worn during leaf play and then shower or bathe.

• Do not leave piles standing for long periods of time. You should rake the pile of leaves into a lawn bag rather than leave it outside overnight. According to Clegg’s Pest Control, piles of leaves left for long periods of time can attract snakes (some harmless, some not). Enjoy a fresh pile of leaves and clean up afterwards.