“Did people forget how to drive in the rain?” It’s an expression you may have murmured to yourself during the first rain shower in a while and there might be some truth to it.

After a long period of dry weather, oil and debris can accumulate on the roads and that’s slippery stuff. A light rain can be particularly slippery because it doesn’t penetrate through the oils, and instead becomes a film on top.

This time of the year we also have slippery conditions from all the fallen leaves. They can be as slippery as ice when wet! That’s because leaves are hydrophobic, which means they naturally repel water. When they’re on the trees, this adaptation directs water toward the soil and prevents mold and fungus!

But on the ground it makes them slippery. It’s a good idea to leave the leaves because decomposing leaves are great for your shrubs, but make sure to rake them into your garden beds so they don’t end up on the street.

Slipping, tripping or falling that’s the second leading cause of accidental deaths so be careful.