CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES TO BEAT SCHOOL BUG BULLIES!

A new campaign is launching this September which is aimed at parents to limit head lice outbreaks in our schools.

Fronted by TV presenter and mother-of-three, Philippa Forrester, and supported by the School and Public Health Nurses Association, the Medical Entomology Centre and leading head lice treatment Hedrin the campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of being vigilant and taking swift action when dealing with these bug bullies, calling on parents to ‘Once a Week, Take a Peek’.

A national survey of parents identified the biggest problem associated with managing head lice was that parents aren’t checking their children and taking action regularly enough which means head lice keep coming back. 

1 in 2 parents check for head lice once a month or less and worryingly 1 in 10 parents are taking a peek just once a year! When questioned as to why they didn’t check more frequently the survey showed that 46% of parents didn’t understand the need to check regularly, 33% didn’t know what to look for and almost 1 in 4 thought the school were checking for them.

Parents are finding this so frustrating that the majority are calling on fellow parents to routinely check for head lice once a week and for more educational materials on the need for regular checking to be developed – a practical and moderate solution compared to the 1 in 10 who would currently like to fine parents whose children repeatedly suffer from head lice.

Commenting on the ‘Once a Week, Take a Peek’ campaign Philippa Forrester said, “I’ve got three boys and I know that head lice are a frustrating part of school life but early identification means the problem can be dealt with quickly and spreading can be kept to an absolute minimum.”

“Regular checking is such a small addition to a household’s routine but will make such a big difference to minimising the risk of repeat infestations. 'Once A Week, Take a Peek’ is the ideal solution - simple, yet practical.”

“Having head lice is nothing to be embarrassed about - 1 in 7 children have head lice at any one time as they are easily passed between people who spend a lot of time in close proximity,” said Christine Brown Nursing Advisor to the Medical Entomology Centre. She continued:

“The best way to stop infestation is for families to check for head lice on a regular basis and then to use a treatment that head lice can’t build up a resistance to if any are found.”

Further information on the ‘Once a Week, Take a Peek’ campaign, how to identify and deal with head lice, as well as fun and practical tips to get your children involved can all be found online at: www.onceaweektakeapeek.com