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« NewsSquawk, August 31, 2007

Your child’s health: Backpack safety

As school gets under way, it seems like a perfect time to remind parents of backpack safety tips. Improper backpack wearing can lead to muscle strain and other back, neck, and shoulder injuries. Kindergarten kiddos up through college students are at risk.

To minimize the chances of backpack-induced injuries, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) shares these tips:

  • Backpack load should be no heavier than 10-15% of your body weight.
  • Both straps should be worn.
  • Put on and remove backpacks carefully - avoid excessively twisting your torso.
  • Wear the backpack over the strongest mid-back muscles.
  • Stay active - students who have a more physically active lifestyle are better able to carry loaded backpacks without strain.

    • Also, look for these features when selecting a backpack:

  • A padded back - reduces pressure and enhances comfort
  • Wide, padded shoulder straps - narrow straps can hinder circulation and be uncomfortable
  • Hip/chest belts, which help even out the weight of the backpack over a student’s body
  • Multiple compartments, which also help with weight distribution
  • Reflective material, to enhance visibility to motorists

    • If your child has red marks on his shoulders after wearing his backpack, experiences pain or tingling in his arms/shoulders while wearing it, has trouble getting the pack on and off, or must shift his weight regularly to stay comfortable with it, the backpack is probably overloaded. Help your child find ways to reduce the load and stay comfortable - and healthy! - while toting school supplies.

    Posted by Sunshining.

    One Response to “Your child’s health: Backpack safety”

    1.   Your child’s health: Backpack safety by diet.MEDtrials.info Says:
      August 31st, 2007 at 8:32 am

      […] your torso. Wear the backpack over the strongest mid-back muscles. …article continues at sunshining brought to you by diet.medtrials.info and […]

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