Backpack Safety Tips for Kids
Back-to-school time means the return of backpacks for many school-aged children. Backpacks are great for containing and transporting the myriad of school supplies needed throughout the day. If worn incorrectly or too heavily laden, they can also lead to short-term and long-term problems.
One study found that 50% of students describe their backpacks as too heavy and 33.5% had pain as a result of backpack-wearing!
Another study found that heavy backpacks can result in decreased walking speed, decreased balance, and other gait abnormalities in elementary school children.
On the plus side, a lot of these negative effects can be prevented if you remember to “pack it light and wear it right,” a phrase utilized by the American Occupational Therapy Association for the National Backpack Awareness Day campaign.
Here are some tips to help you mind your child’s back(pack):
Packing
Backpacks should weigh no more than 10-15% of a child’s body weight (for a 50lb child, this means his/her backpack should only be between 5 and 7.5 pounds)
Check each day to remove unnecessary items and encourage your child to utilize locker/desk for storage if able
Make good use of compartments - heavier objects should be in the middle and closest to the body
If backpack sways side-to-side when walking or if a child leans more forward when walking with his/her backpack, check the weight and distribution of objects
Wearing
Backpacks should always be worn on both shoulders and straps should be tightened so that the the bottom of the backpack is no more than 4 inches below the waist
If included, use waist and/or chest straps to help distribute the weight better
Backpacks should not be wider than a child’s torso
Teach child how to proper pick up backpack from the ground - should be lifting with knees, not waists
Warning Signs
Difficulty putting on/picking up
Pain or significant change in posture when wearing
Tingling/numbness in arms or legs
Strap marks left on shoulder
Decreased balance when wearing
Give us a call to schedule an initial evaluation.
If you have questions or concerns about your child’s posture or biomechanics, or if your child is complaining about any pain or decreased range of motion, Better Learning Therapies can help!
