What is a primary method to prevent lice?

Maintaining good personal hygiene is a primary method to prevent lice because lice infestations are often spread through direct head-to-head contact, which is common among children. Good hygiene practices include regularly washing hair, using personal items such as combs and brushes specifically, and avoiding sharing personal items with others. Maintaining clean hair and scalp reduces the opportunity for lice to thrive, as they are less likely to attach to clean hair compared to dirty or unwashed hair.

Insecticides can be effective in treating existing infestations but are not a preventive measure and may also pose risks to health and the environment. Avoiding pets is not relevant since lice are specifically human parasites and do not infest animals. Wearing hats does not significantly prevent lice transmission and can be misleading since lice are primarily spread through close contact rather than through objects. Therefore, emphasizing personal hygiene is crucial in preventing lice infestations effectively.