Summer has come to an end and that means back to school! Which also means packing lunches and school bags. It is important that kids of all ages follow some basic tips for backpack safety.
Purchasing the Proper Backpack
When purchasing a backpack for your child, ensure it is the appropriate size. If possible, take your child with you so they can try them on. You may think bigger is better but kids will fit as much as they possibly can in the bag, often making it too heavy. When a backpack weighs too much it can cause back, neck and shoulder pain and contribute to poor posture. The Canadian Chiropractic Association suggests that a backpack should never weigh more than 10-15% of a child’s bodyweight.
A backpack should not be wider than your child’s back and should not hang more than 4 inches below their waist. The backpack should have wide, padded, adjustable straps for comfort. It is also a good idea to have multiple compartments in the bag to distribute the weight evenly.
Proper Fit
Having raised two teenagers I know the importance of your child to “look cool.” A lot of kids like to put their backpack over one shoulder. This does not contribute to proper posture and can lead to possible injury so it is important to encourage proper backpack use from an early age. The best way for a child of any age to wear a backpack is using both straps so the weight is evenly distributed and the straps should be tightened so the bag rests comfortably on the child’s back and the bag doesn’t hang too low down the back.
Pack Smartly
Once you have found the perfect backpack. Now what? It’s time to teach them how to pack it. The large, heavy items should be packed closest to the back of the bag so it is close to the child’s back. Smaller items should be distributed throughout the bag so all the weight isn’t in one place. It should also be encouraged to leave unneeded items either at school or at home.
Pro Parent Tip
Try to incorporate a weekly backpack cleanest! You will be amazed at what you will find.
By following these backpack tips, and encouraging proper use, your child can have a back pain free start to school.
The staff at FORM Health wishes all our teachers and families a fabulous start to the school year!
FORM Health 