(NAPSI)—As the school year moves along, it’s easy to let your guard down when it comes to preparing for an outbreak of head lice. But chilly temperatures mean kids sharing hats and scarves and playing in close contact, increasing the likelihood of lice exposure. Fortunately, parents can rest easy knowing there are safe, easy-to-use, non-pesticide options for treating and defending against lice.

Here are five tips to practice all year round for extra peace of mind:

1. Head checks! Conduct regular checks of your child’s hair using a fine-tooth comb. Lice live within one inch of the scalp, laying eggs that look like grains of sand adhered to the hair shaft.

2. At risk? Start now. Itching symptoms start two to four weeks after lice are contracted. If there is a risk at school or among playmates, don’t wait. Defend against the growth of an infestation with a non-toxic daily lice shampoo that can kill lice before you catch your child itching.

3. Avoid head-to-head contact during play. Hard to do, but especially important if head lice have already been detected among classmates or friends. Keeping long hair pulled back can help.

4. Don’t share! Encourage children not to share hats, scarves, combs or other items that come in contact with hair. Don’t worry too much, though, as head-to-head contact is the primary mode of transmitting lice.

5. Don’t panic! If lice are found, using a non-toxic, non-pesticide lice treatment like Vamousse Lice Treatment that is proven to kill BOTH lice and nits is a great choice. Follow directions carefully and invest time in treatment and follow-up combing for best results.

If lice are present, Vamousse Lice Treatment kills lice and their eggs in one treatment. Vamousse uses non-toxic ingredients to dehydrate lice and nits rather than relying on the pesticides to which some strains of “super lice” are becoming increasingly resistant.

Vamousse Lice Defense shampoo is recommended for daily use during high-risk periods and for 10-14 days after potential exposure to defend against the growth of an infestation. It is non-toxic and safe for use by the entire family.

Whether you have encountered head lice before or not, having a safe, effective, pesticide-free shampoo and treatment on hand is a lice-savvy preparation step. Vamousse products are available over-the-counter nationwide without a prescription. Learn more at www.vamousselice.com.

On the Net:North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.(NAPSI)