Safety
Tips for Choosing Backpacks
July 21, 2006
More
school-age children are suffering injuries caused by heavy,
ill-fitting backpacks. Parents should be aware of important safety
tips for purchasing and using backpacks as they and their children
prepare for the start of the new school year.
Experts say a loaded backpack should not exceed fifteen percent of
the child's weight, but as many as 55 percent of today's students
are carrying loads far in excess of the recommended limit. Due to
the increasing size of textbooks, and the removal of lockers for space
and safety reasons, some students' packs exceed 40 pounds, more than
would be advisable for most adults.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there has been
an almost 300 percent increase in backpack-related injuries among
children since 1996. A 2004 study of 3,498 students whose backpack
weight was measured found back pain to be highly prevalent, severe
and chronic, and showed a link between backpack weight and back pain.
The good news is that this is one health problem that can easily
be avoided by following a few simple, preventive measures. Backpack
injuries can be stopped before they occur if parents take the time
to choose the right pack and teach their children how to wear it correctly.
The chances that children may suffer injuries from a heavy backpack
are compounded by the epidemic of childhood obesity.
Kids today are more sedentary than ever as they spend increasing
time indoors playing video games and watching television. Not only
are they obese, they are also out of shape, making it hard for them
to support any extra weight on their backs.
Part of the challenge in raising awareness about backpack injuries
is that the harm can occur without obvious symptoms. Like a car out
of alignment, you don't know it until the tires wear out. Young people
may be experiencing only mild symptoms now, but this could be a preview
of future problems like chronic back pain and spine degeneration later
in life.
Doctors of chiropractic are sounding the alarm about kids' backpacks
because of their expertise in dealing with this type of injury on
a regular basis. Parents must be aware of the potential long-term
harm caused by backpacks, and help their children take preventive
steps now.
A Chiropractic Association recommends the following guidelines to
help prevent childhood backpack injuries.
BACKPACK SAFETY CHECKLIST
When choosing a backpack, look for:
* Padded shoulder straps
* Padded back
* Lumbar support
* A waist belt
* Multiple compartments
* Correct size
When loading a backpack:
* Distribute the weight properly; load heavier items closest to the
back
* Loaded backpacks should weigh no more than 15 percent of the child's
body weight
When wearing a backpack:
* Wear both shoulder straps
* Tighten straps until snug, but not tight
* Use the stabilizing waist strap
* Take the backpack off when standing for a long time
A Guide to Maximum Backpack Weight for Children
Child's weight - Recommended backpack weight when loaded:
50 lbs. - 7.5 lbs.
80 lbs. - 12 lbs.
100 lbs. - 15 lbs.
130 lbs. - 19.5 lbs.
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