Backpack Safety

Choosing a backpack for your child can turn out to be a bigger decision than you may anticipate. Once we come to realize that a backpack can affect the health of our children, we take a little more time in picking one out that is just the right fit for them as they go back to school.

Remember, your kids will wear these backpacks to and from school for 10 months. That’s a lot of heavy lifting depending on how many books they decide to stuff in there every day. It is important to pick a backpack with wide, padded shoulder straps as well as a padded back. This will reduce stress and tension on the shoulders and back where the bag will make the most contact. You must also be aware of the weight. A backpack must not weigh more than 20 of the weight of your child. This can be harmful to their joints and muscles, so make sure you do a weekly cleanout with them to ensure that they aren’t carrying more weight than they need to be. Lastly, the backpack should sit on your child’s waist. This will help reduce pressure on the shoulders and back as their waist takes on a good amount of the weight.

Pick wisely!