It’s back to school time for many of us whether your child is 4 or 14! Backpacks are an essential component of back to school gear. Your child may tell you that it has to be their favorite color or favorite character or everyone’s wearing a messenger bag this year! However, backpacks are not just for looks! The improper usage of a backpack can have long term harmful effects on your child’s spine.
I watched the past 2 years as my little one has worn her saggy backpack down by her but, while my older one struggled with carrying a messenger bag. After reading up on Backpack Safety, this year I got smart. I made sure that each of them tried on the backpacks before we bought any. They had to fit properly and be easy to adjust. They had to be comfortable so that the kids would want to wear them properly every day. This year I am expecting my big one to have more work and a heavier load, so I wanted a backpack that was up to the job!
According to Backpack Safety America, a child should never carry more than 15 % of their bodyweight in their backpack and it should not rest lower than the base of their spine. “When worn correctly, the weight in a backpack is evenly distributed across the body, and shoulder and neck injuries are less common than if someone carried a briefcase or purse. As practical as backpacks are, though, they can strain muscles and joints and may cause back pain if they're too heavy or are used incorrectly.”
Dr. Chad Laurence advises that the backpack be worn snugly against the body, have a structurally reinforced base as well as a belt strap.
For more backpack safety recommendations and explanations of pain and risks from improper usage, visit:
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