Aug 01, 2016
As we prepare for Back to School, we’re gathering our supplies, like backpacks. But do you know how to choose a safe backpack for your child? This may seem like an unusual question, but according to an Occupational Therapist at the Children’s Hospital of Georgia, approximately 6000 children are injured each year due to wearing a backpack that is inappropriate for them.
As our children head back to school and look forward to choosing a new book bag with their favorite superhero or Disney character, make sure they have a bag that is appropriate and will not cause them injury or harm. Their bag needs to be able to carry all of their necessary supplies and books, but not so large that your child will overload it. If backpacks are too heavy or not properly used, they can cause pain, strain, and injury to your child.
Here are five tips for backpack safety and use
1. Actually use a backpack. The muscles in the back are the strongest muscles and can support the bag better than shoulder bags and other types of bags. Pick one that is the right size for your child – not too big. It should fit them between the shoulder blades down to their waist.
2. The backpack should be lightweight, have two shoulder straps that are wide and padded, and have padding on the back for additional comfort and protection.
3. Don’t overload the bag. Your child should not be leaning forward from the weight. Be sure to place the heaviest books in the back of the bag for best muscle support.
4. Have your child wear the backpack on both shoulders and make sure the straps are snug, but not too tight.
5. For their personal safety, avoid writing the child’s name on the outside of the backpack.
It’s exciting to pick out the “coolest” book bag to show to their friends at school, but it’s more important to provide them with a bag that will be safe and not cause them pain. But don’t worry, there are plenty of superhero and princess options that meet these criteria!
As our children head back to school and look forward to choosing a new book bag with their favorite superhero or Disney character, make sure they have a bag that is appropriate and will not cause them injury or harm. Their bag needs to be able to carry all of their necessary supplies and books, but not so large that your child will overload it. If backpacks are too heavy or not properly used, they can cause pain, strain, and injury to your child.
Here are five tips for backpack safety and use
1. Actually use a backpack. The muscles in the back are the strongest muscles and can support the bag better than shoulder bags and other types of bags. Pick one that is the right size for your child – not too big. It should fit them between the shoulder blades down to their waist.
2. The backpack should be lightweight, have two shoulder straps that are wide and padded, and have padding on the back for additional comfort and protection.
3. Don’t overload the bag. Your child should not be leaning forward from the weight. Be sure to place the heaviest books in the back of the bag for best muscle support.
4. Have your child wear the backpack on both shoulders and make sure the straps are snug, but not too tight.
5. For their personal safety, avoid writing the child’s name on the outside of the backpack.
It’s exciting to pick out the “coolest” book bag to show to their friends at school, but it’s more important to provide them with a bag that will be safe and not cause them pain. But don’t worry, there are plenty of superhero and princess options that meet these criteria!
