Back-to-School Backpack Safety Tips For Your Kids

The imminent back-to-school season in Oviedo is often met with mixed feelings by children and parents alike. For kids, it means saying goodbye to the lazy days of summer and trading in pool floats for pencil cases. And for parents, it can mean early mornings, juggling carpool schedules, and stocking up on school supplies. But before you send your little ones out into the world (or the classroom), make sure they’re armed with these essential backpack safety tips.

If you’ve been concerned about the weight of your child’s school bag as they’re returning to class, you were correct. If backpacks are too heavy or not used properly, they can cause children to pain in their back, neck, and shoulders. Additionally, this can lead to poor posture.

You can avoid potential health risks by checking out these useful tips.

Start with Selecting the Right Size Backpack

Most importantly, you want to make sure the backpack is not too big or small for your child. The straps should also be adjustable so that they can fit snugly on their back.

Weight Matters

You might be surprised by how much a few school supplies can weigh down a backpack. A general rule of thumb is that a backpack should not weigh more than 10% of your child’s body weight. So, if your child weighs 80 pounds, their backpack should not exceed 8 pounds.

Avoid Backpack Overload

In addition to the 10% rule, you also want to make sure your child isn’t packing too much into their backpack. If it’s crammed full of textbooks, notebooks, and other supplies, it will be more difficult to carry and could cause your child to suffer from back or shoulder pain.

Encourage Your Child to Use Both Straps

When your child is throwing his or her backpack over one shoulder, you may not think much of it. After all, it’s just a backpack, right? Wrong. Wearing a backpack incorrectly can cause serious back and shoulder problems down the road. That’s why it’s important to encourage your child to use both straps when carrying a backpack.

When a backpack is worn over one shoulder, the majority of the weight is concentrated on that side of the body. This can lead to muscle imbalance and pain in the back, neck, and shoulders. Additionally, wearing a backpack over one shoulder can cause the spine to twist and put unnecessary stress on the joints. By ensuring that your child wears both straps, you can help distribute the weight evenly and prevent these problems from developing.

So next time you see your child heading out the door with one strap slung over their shoulder, take a moment to remind them of the importance of using both straps. It may seem like a small thing, but it could make a big difference in their health down the road.

Check the Backpack Regularly

Throughout the school year, take a few minutes each week to help your child clean out their backpack. This will help lighten the load and ensure that they’re not carrying around any unnecessary items.

By following these simple tips, you can help make sure your child’s backpack is safe and comfortable to use.

If you want to help your child avoid pain, reinforce healthy backpack habits. And if your teenager is already experiencing pain, don’t ignore it! At uImproved Physical Therapy, our expert physical therapists are here to give the BEST help and advice. So if you or your child is experiencing discomfort, request an appointment with us today! We’ll help get you on the path to a healthier and more comfortable life immediately!

Schedule a free discovery visit, make an appointment or have questions, call the office at 407-315-2731