I can remember walking back and forth to school with the world’s heaviest backpack everyday. Don’t worry, I’m not going to tell you that it was uphill in the snow. But nevertheless, starting in about the second grade, I carried textbooks, workbooks, notebooks, a Trapperkeeper (remember those?), and other supplies on my little hunched over back. Our generation wasn’t concerned with “backpack safety” or “ergonomic” bookbags, and this is why the massage therapy industry is thriving today, thanks to our bad backs.

For our kids, though, backpack safety is all the rage, which is why every back-to-school season has news agencies reporting smart bookbag shopping tips and proper backpack carrying techniques. If you aren’t familiar with them, no worries — I did the homework for you and scoured for some of the best tips (ones that go beyond the obvious). Here goes…

First, the scary stat: In 2006, there were more than 7,300 backpack-related injuries in emergency rooms in the U.S., according to The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Pretty heavy stuff!

Now the tips:

I, for one, remember feeling very uncool if I wore my backpack on both shoulders, so I’d sling it over just one. Bad move!  Always have your child wear both straps, and select a bag that has extra padding for the shoulders. For what it’s worth, my right backpack-carrying shoulder plagues me to this day when I’m tense… coincidence?

Does your child walk home from school? If so, choose a backpack with reflectors on it so they are more visible to buses and cars.

Load the heaviest items closest to the student’s back to help distribute weight evenly. Good physics-related tip that makes sense, plus the more delicate items like their must-have Mott’s juice boxes won’t get crushed.

Now here’s some math for you: The 15% rule. A backpack should weigh less than 15 percent of a child’s body weight. So if your child is 50 pounds, the backpack should weigh no more than 7 pounds. Natually, you won’t be pulling out the scale every morning, but if your child has to carry an unreasonable amount of books everyday, speak with the teacher about a possible solution. Perhaps there are books that can stay in school or remain at home.

Look for extra compartments and side and front pockets to stow away pointy objects (rulers and compasses, for starters). But let your child know now to leave anything valuable in a pouch that can be opened behind their backs. When I was in grad school (and should have known better), someone stole my digital voice recorder by simply unzipping my bag while I looked the other way.

And, of course, my number one tip: Let your child choose a backpack that’s affordable for you, but also cool for them. After all, they’ll be hauling it all year, and it may feel less heavy with Spiderman or Hannah Montana on it.

So, moms, what is your child’s backpack of choice this year?

0 COMMENTS

Add your own