New York State Parents Will “Never Allow” This

The weather this month has not felt like fall here in New York State. The leaves are changing and the days are shorter, but the temperatures are more like July!

As we approach Halloween, kids from Buffalo , to Albany, are getting excited to wear their costumes and go door to door looking for treats! But there is one event in the fall that some parents are saying no to this year.

As most New York State residents know, the weather is going to change, eventually. The snow and cold is not that far away and it is just a matter of time before we trade in the shorts for snow boots!

READ MORE: Massive Fireplace Ban In New York State?

However, the warm weather has made it ideal for bugs like ticks to thrive here in New York State.

As the leaves drop, and we pile them up, it has always been fun to jump in the leaves and play. This year, some are warning that the age old tradition of jumping in leaves may be a bad idea. Ticks are not only not fun to remove, they can be dangerous as some carry tick borne illnesses like Lyme.

This summer, health officials across New York State had been monitoring and watching to see the progress of EEEV virus which detected in portions of the state.

What is EEEV? According to the Center For Disease Control (CDC) Eastern equine encephalitis is rare but serious and there are currently no vaccines to stop it.

"Although rare, eastern equine encephalitis is very serious. Approximately 30% of people with eastern equine encephalitis die, and many survivors have ongoing neurologic problems. Symptoms of eastern equine encephalitis can include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, behavioral changes, and drowsiness".

We spoke with some parents who admit they may be overly protective but will "never allow their kids to jump in leaves". Like most things, it is best to go with your gut and every parent and family is different.

Be safe this fall and protect yourself from mosquitoes and watch for ticks!