Print

Print
A similar question arose oh the ALHFAM (Association for Living History, Farms and Museums) as American group to which I belong. They reached no firm conclusion but rather that each was to their own, from no hats to minimal risk.
I agree with Verity, and having had experience providing costumed interpretation including at a permanent site for several years, I can recall no complaint re lice being received  (either by user or from user!)
If you want to get ahead......  It's too useful a resource to ban for such a minimal risk. And for those concerned you might try a historic cure - use cotton lavender or santillana- oil of which seems to defeat them.
 
Peter Hood
'Pastpresent'
----- Original Message -----
From: [log in to unmask] href="mailto:[log in to unmask]">Verity Walker
To: [log in to unmask] href="mailto:[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]
Sent: Monday, January 15, 2007 3:20 PM
Subject: Re: Head lice and replica costume

Thanks Emma for making the entire GEM e-list start to scratch their heads - my understanding is that headlice can survive on anything for a while (cinema seats for example) but they are mainly passed from head to head when children work or play closely together.  Good grief, doesn't the benefit of trying on fantastic replica costume would far outweigh the disadvantages of a session with a comb and conditioner for one or two unlucky parents (and yes I have done it with kids of my own)?  These aren't plague fleas we're talking about after all!  You could try occasionally freezing the headgear which would probably kill them off, but in my view a couple of lice may make it all the more authentic...
 
Perhaps you should slip a one-liner about this into your standard risk assessment and then forget about it and hope you don't get visited by anyone quite so officious again?
 
Excuse me, must go and... um... comb my hair!
 
Verity Walker
[log in to unmask]
-----Original Message-----
From: List for discussion of issues in museum education in the UK. [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Emma Webb
Sent: 15 January 2007 14:25
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Head lice and replica costume

Apologies for the title of this email but I would like information from people who have costume to try on, either  in galleries or as part of a handling collection. WE recently launched a small series of activity areas in our museum which include costume for visitors to try on.

 

 The replica costume includes a felt tricorn hat, and three woollen and/or velvet hats. We have had a comment from a school nurse that we should not include headgear as they can harbour lice. Googling this subject does not come up with anything conclusive on whether or not headlice can survive in hats and transfer from person to person.

 

Any comments?

 

Emma Webb

Learning and Programmes Manager

 

National Museums Scotland

Chambers Street

Edinburgh EH1 1JF

Tel +44 (0) 131 247 4267

Fax+44 (0) 131 220 4819

e-mail [log in to unmask]

http://www.nms.ac.uk

 

This communication is intended for the addressee(s) only. If you are not the addressee please inform the sender and delete the email from your system. The statements and opinions expressed in this message are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the National Museums Scotland. This message is subject to the Data Protection Act 1998 and Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. No liability is accepted for any harm that may be caused to your systems or data by this message.