Backpack Safety for Your Children
By Sara Butler
Parents everywhere rejoice because it’s almost time for school to be back in session. As you prepare your children to go back to school you will probably buy them new clothes, new shoes, and even new backpacks. Backpacks can be tricky for children, and there are some guidelines you should be aware of in order to not only protect the health of your child’s back but to protect their overall health too. Here’s what you need to know!
Injuries from Backpacks
Would you believe that there are over 6,500 emergency room visits every year for children between the ages of 5 and 18 that are caused by backpacks that don’t fit right or are too heavy? Well, that is exactly what the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports! Don’t let your child be a statistic; make sure you follow the guidelines for backpack fit and safety.
Guidelines for Backpacks
The American Chiropractic Association has created a few tips to help your child stay healthy and steer clear of back and neck pain caused by backpacks. These guidelines include paying attention to:
- The weight of the backpack – Your child’s backpack should not weigh more than 5-10 percent of their body weight. So, if your child weighs 60 pounds, their backpack should not weigh more than three to six pounds. If the backpack is too heavy they may try to lean forward in order to help balance the weight, instead of using their shoulders to carry the weight as a backpack is meant to.
- The fit of the backpack – Your child’s backpack should never go more than four inches under the waistline. If it hangs too low it will increase the weight on the shoulders, again possibly causing them to lean forward in order to balance the weight and keep their shoulders from hurting.
- The compartments of a backpack – Pick a backpack that has several compartments, this way you can place any pointy or bulky things in a compartment that won’t rest against their back and cause discomfort.
- The size of the backpack – Bigger is not always better, because if there’s a lot of room it may tempt your child to overload the backpack, which can cause issues. Also, make sure you choose a backpack with wide straps that are padded to help with their comfort.
You should also talk to your child and make sure they always wear both straps of the backpack in order to more evenly distribute weight. If you notice your child is constantly coming home with a really heavy backpack due to schoolwork, you may want to discuss it with your child’s teacher.