By Simple tips ensure backpack safety is in the bag
As the school year approaches, it’s time to load up the kids with a stock of new supplies and gadgets for all their classroom needs. While school-bound youngsters are wondering how to cram “necessities” into school bags, parents may be concerned about safety when it comes to carrying around the added weight.
The majority of elementary school students (97 percent) will be sporting a backpack this year, according to a recent survey conducted on behalf of Lands’ End. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) reassures parents that a properly worn backpack is still the best way for kids to tote their treasures safely.
“It is so important for kids to understand and practice the proper loading and carrying techniques to help prevent injuries when carrying backpacks to and from school,” said Mary O’Flahrity, Lands’ End product manager. “Just as important is selecting the right backpack - keeping sizes and safety features in mind.”
Know your options
Mothers definitely have ideas when it comes to the features their child’s backpack should have. Mothers participating in the recent Lands’ End survey indicated that the “must-have” features of a pack include large compartments (54 percent), padded straps (27 percent) and lots of pockets (9 percent). Other features that APTA recommends for a backpack include:
A padded back panel to cushion the child’s back;
A waist belt to distribute added weight to the pelvis;
A suspension bar in the back of the pack to distribute contents more evenly.
Backpack basics
After your child finds the perfect backpack, with all the necessary and desirable pockets and in the right style, observing a few basic “pack and carry” guidelines can eliminate even the smallest safety woes parents may have. Following are some helpful tips for parents to relay to their kids:
Don’t overpack. More than one out of four (27 percent) mothers responding to the survey said their child has complained of back, neck or shoulder pain at some point from carrying a pack that is too heavy. While the temptation for children to load their backpacks to the brim is strong, parents should encourage children not to overdo it. If a child is leaning forward from the weight of the backpack, lighten the load and re-evaluate the contents of the pack. A child should not carry any bag that weighs more than 15 percent of his or her body weight.
Wear both shoulder straps. Positioning and wearing both shoulder straps are essential to ensure safety and comfort. Choose a backpack that has padded, contoured shoulder straps to reduce pressure on the chest and shoulders. By wearing both shoulder straps, the weight of the pack is evenly distributed and allows the stronger torso muscles to “carry” the weight of the pack. Wearing both shoulder straps also enhances proper spine alignment.
Perfect positioning. It is important for parents to pay close attention to the way their child’s backpack is positioned on the back. As the child grows throughout the year, or with a varied pack weight, the positioning of the backpack on the child’s back will ensure the correct back and shoulder support. Physical therapists suggest that shoulder straps fit comfortably on the shoulder and under the arms. The bottom of the pack should rest in the contour of the lower back. The pack should “sit” evenly in the middle of the back, not up toward the shoulders or “sagging down” toward the buttocks.
Courtesy of ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com, e-mail: info@ARAcontent.com.
