I live in the Dallas area and we have low humidity especially when it gets cold. This causes nasty static pops into the pickups when my fingernails start sliding on the pickguards. I use static-cling sheets that are for drying clothes and rub it on the plastic. That kills the static immediately and for a good while. The only problem is it leaves a little residue on the guard but makes it smell like Potpourri.
Is there any other safe trick besides getting a carbon fiber guard? Even when the plastic guard is shielded underneath I will get some static buildup.