Back to School Backpack Safety

Back to school season is full of exciting firsts – shopping for new clothes, first day jitters and making new friends. With all the excitement it can be easy to forget basic backpack safety, which can have a major impact on your child’s spinal health.

Keep these tips in mind to help your child prevent injury and carry their backpack safely throughout the school year:

When choosing a backpack, look for the following features:

• Sizing. Look for a bag that is appropriately sized for your child’s age and weight. A bag that is too big will not fit properly.
• A padded back panel. This will help minimize pressure on your child’s back.
• Wide, padded shoulder straps. Wide straps will help maintain circulation in the arms.
• Waist and/or chest belts. Belts can alleviate pressure on the shoulders and redistribute it to the trunk or pelvis.
• Multiple compartments. Distributing weight in different compartments helps prevent all the weight from falling on one area.

When wearing a backpack, look for proper fit in the following areas:

• Weight. A child’s backpack should only carry a maximum of 15% of the child’s body weight.
• Smart packing. Put the heaviest items closest to the child’s back for stability. Make sure books and other materials are packed securely to prevent the bag from swaying when walking.
• Straps. Straps should fit snugly and not hang down from the shoulders. Always wear both straps to avoid too much strain on one side of the body.
• Safe removal. Always put on and remove straps slowly and carefully to prevent jerking motions. Avoid slinging the pack quickly onto one shoulder.

Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy school year!