Head lice are very prevalent in our schools, child care centres and other places where our children get together in large numbers. It seems almost inevitable at at some stage every adult and child will come into contact with someone who has an active head lice infestation.

While head lice are considered highly contagious, there are some simple steps you can take to help prevent head lice infestation.

Here are our top 10 tips to help prevent the spread of head lice:

At school

1. Encourage your child to avoid direct head-to-head contact.
2. Teach your child to avoid sharing brushes, combs, ribbons, hats and helmets – personalise these items with a name tag.
3. Remind kids to hang up jackets and hats on their own hook, instead of throwing in a pile with other children’s clothing.
4. Discourage children from playing with each others’ hair.
5. Keep long hair firmly plaited, or tied back.
6. Using a proven defence spray can reduce the transmission rate from head to head.

At home

7. While lice do not live for very long off the head, it is good practice to clean brushes and combs with hot water and detergent (60°C for 30 seconds) to kill any stray lice.
8. Hanging towels and bedding of children with active head lice infections in the sun for two or more hours will kill most head lice.
9. Check your child’s head for lice regularly with Quit Nits Combing Solution and a nit comb to spot early signs of infestation.
10. Educate your children about how to avoid head lice

For over 14 years parents have trusted Wild Child’s Quit Nits Defence Spray, a simple to use, pleasantly fragranced and non greasy daily weapon against head lice infestation.