Backpack Security - familydoctor.org

Children carry rather a lot of their backpacks: homework, books, lunch, jackets, sports activities tools. However totally loaded backpacks include dangers. Backpacks not worn appropriately or which might be too heavy can damage your youngster. Injury to their backbone in addition to sore backs and shoulders, complications, and even a change in the best way they stroll will be due to heavy backpacks.

Many youngsters carry greater than they need to of their backpacks. They need to not carry greater than 10% of their very own physique weight. For instance, in case your youngster weighs 80 kilos, their backpack shouldn’t weigh greater than 8 kilos. Use your toilet scale to weigh your youngster’s backpack when it’s totally packed.

Table of Contents

Path to improved well being

When purchasing for a backpack in your youngster, take them with you. Let your youngster attempt on backpacks. Ensure that the backpack isn’t any wider than your youngster’s physique. Additionally make certain it doesn’t dangle greater than 4 inches beneath their waist. These pointers will assist make certain the backpack isn’t too large.

Additionally search for a backpack with these components:

Two extensive, padded shoulder straps
Padded again
Strap that fastens across the waist
A number of compartments to unfold out the load
Fabricated from light-weight materials

As soon as your youngster begins utilizing the backpack, there are a lot of steps you’ll be able to take to verify they aren’t carrying an excessive amount of in it.

All the time make certain your youngster is carrying their backpack with a strap over each shoulders, as an alternative of simply carrying it on one shoulder. This ensures that the load is evenly distributed, placing much less pressure on muscular tissues and joints.
Tighten the shoulder and waist straps in order that they’re cosy towards the physique.
Ensure that the backpack rests in the course of your youngster’s again. This places the backpack over the strongest muscular tissues within the again and stomach. Encourage your youngster to solely carry what is critical for college.
Place the heaviest gadgets within the backside of the bag.
Train your youngster the right way to safely decide up a heavy backpack. Your youngster ought to bend on the knees and raise with the legs. This protects the again and shoulders.

Issues to contemplate

Maintain an in depth eye in your youngster and the way they carry a backpack. The backpack could also be too heavy if:

Your youngster complains about ache or numbness within the again or shoulders
You see crimson marks on the shoulders
You discover your youngster is slouching or leaning

If the backpack is just too heavy, take every little thing out of it to see what’s in it. Take into account whether or not any of the gadgets will be left at residence or faculty and never carried within the backpack. Encourage your youngster to make frequent stops at their locker at college.

Questions in your physician

How can I deal with my youngster’s ache already attributable to a heavy backpack?
Are rolling backpacks a good suggestion?

Assets

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Backpack safety

National Safety Council: Backpack Safety: It’s Time to Lighten the Load

This info supplies a basic overview and will not apply to everybody. Speak to your loved ones physician to seek out out if this info applies to you and to get extra info on this topic.