Heavy Backpacks Are Putting Your Child at Risk, Find Out How
With children getting ready to go back to school, health professionals are reminding parents and caregivers to check the backpack load on their children’s bodies and how it can cause unnecessary strain.
These days, school bags are frequently packed with books, laptops, tablets, water bottles, lunch bags, sports gear, and other personal belongings. Each item may seem unobtrusive, but the total weight can be a challenge for some children, especially those who walk to school or walk from classroom to classroom during the day.
The American Academy of Pediatrics says that leaning forward to hold up a backpack or having trouble walking while wearing it could be indicators that it is too heavy. The straps of the backpack should also be comfortable and not dig into the child’s shoulders.
The academy’s injury prevention efforts are led by Dr Sadika Kendi, who said that falls while carrying backpacks with heavy loads could lead to more severe injuries.
The general rule is to not have a backpack more than 10% to 15% of a child’s body weight, but Kendi said there is not enough evidence to set a universal weight limit because children vary in size, strength and physical development.
Backpacks should have two wide padded shoulder straps, padded backs and compartments to distribute weight, experts say. Waist or chest straps can also help to shift the weight.
Parents are encouraged to regularly check and clean out backpacks, removing items children do not need each day.
Importantly, Children should take backpacks off before getting into a moving vehicle as backpacks can interfere with the correct positioning of the seat belt during a crash.
