Backpack Safety for Children

Derek Gibbons, D.C.

The month of July is almost over, and many kids will be returning to school next month. For many parents, this means heading to the store for new school supplies, and maybe even new backpacks for the kids.

What many parents don't realize is that some of these backpacks are causing major problems for their children. Poor backpack construction and a lack of understanding of proper fit is causing injury to our little ones.

This makes sense when you think about it. If a 75 pound child is carrying a 20 pound backpack, then it would be about 27% of that child's body weight. That would be the same as a 175 pound man carrying a 47 pound backpack all day long. This example helps parents to see why it is very important that they have an understanding of what can be done to prevent injuries to their children.

Below are some simple steps from the American Chiropractic Association that will help to keep your kids safe this school year. Follow these when purchasing, and fitting your child.

1. Make sure your child's backpack weighs no more than 5 to 10 percent of his or her body weight. A heavier backpack will cause your child to bend forward in an attempt to support the weight on his or her back, rather than on the shoulders, by the straps.
2. The backpack should never hang more than four inches below the waistline. A backpack that hangs too low increases the weight on the shoulders, causing your child to lean forward when walking.
3. A backpack with individualized compartments helps in positioning the contents most effectively. Make sure that pointy or bulky objects are packed away from the area that will rest on your child's back.
4. Bigger is not necessarily better. The more room there is in a backpack, the more your child will carry-and the heavier the backpack will be.
5. Urge your child to wear both shoulder straps. Lugging the backpack around by one strap can cause the disproportionate shift of weight to one side, leading to neck and muscle spasms, as well as low-back pain.
6. Wide, padded straps are very important. Non-padded straps are uncomfortable, and can dig into your child's shoulders.
7. The shoulder straps should be adjustable so the backpack can be fitted to your child's body. Straps that are too loose can cause the backpack to dangle uncomfortably and cause spinal misalignment and pain.
8. If the backpack is still too heavy, talk to your child's teacher. Ask if your child could leave the heaviest books at school, and bring home only lighter hand-out materials or workbooks.
9. Although the use of rollerpacks - or backpacks on wheels - has become popular in recent years, the ACA is now recommending that they be used cautiously and on a limited basis by only those students who are not physically able to carry a backpack. Some school districts have begun banning the use of rollerpacks because they clutter hallways, resulting in dangerous trips and falls.