London- London’s National Gallery has banned selfie sticks, it said Wednesday, following the lead of museums around the world alarmed by the possible hazards to visitors and artworks.

“Due to the recent popularity of selfie sticks, the National Gallery preferred to take precautionary measures,” a spokesperson told sources.

Selfie sticks, the hugely popular extending rods onto which a smartphone or camera can be fitted to provide a better angle for a self-portrait, are classed as tripods under the National Gallery’s rules.

“Photography is allowed for personal, non-commercial purposes in the National Gallery,” the institution said in a statement.

“However there are a few exceptions in order to protect paintings, copyright of loans, individual privacy and the overall visitor experience.

“Therefore the use of flash and tripods is not permitted.”

The gallery becomes the first major London museum to ban the devices, but follows the lead of the Smithsonian in Washington, the MOMA in New York, and the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra.