Backpack Safety
Backpack Strategies for Parents and Students Achingbacksandshoulders?Tinglingarms?Weakenedmuscles?Stoopedposture? Does your child have these symptoms after wearing a heavy school backpack? Carrying too much weight in a pack or wearing it the wrong way can lead to pain and strain. Parents can take steps to help children load and wear backpacks the correct way to avoid health problems. Loading the Backpack: • A child’s backpack should weigh no more than about 10% of his or her body weight.Thismeansastudentweighing100poundsshouldn’tweara loadedschool backpack heavier than about 10 pounds. • Load heaviest items closest to the child’s back (the back of the pack). • Arrange books and materials so they won’t slide around in the backpack. • Check what your child carries to school and brings home. Make sure the items are necessary for the day’s activities. • If the backpack is too heavy or tightly packed, your child can hand carry a book or other item outside the pack. • If the backpack is too heavy on a regular basis, consider using a book bag on wheels if your child’s school allows it. Wearing the Backpack: • Distribute weight evenly by using both straps. Wearing a pack slung over one shouldercancauseachild to lean tooneside,curving thespineandcausingpain or discomfort.
•Selectapackwithwell-paddedshoulderstraps.Shouldersandneckshavemany blood vessels and nerves that can cause pain and tingling in the neck, arms, and hands when too much pressure is applied. •Adjusttheshoulderstrapssothatthepackfitssnuglyonthechild’sback.Apack thathangs looselyfromthebackcanpullthechildbackwardsandstrainmuscles. • Wear the waist belt if the backpack has one. This helps distribute the pack’s weight more evenly. •Thebottomofthepackshouldrest inthecurveofthe lowerback. Itshouldnever rest more than four inches below the child’s waistline. •Schoolbackpackscome indifferentsizesfordifferentages.Choosetherightsize pack for your child as well as one with enough room for necessary school items. • Only put items in your backpack that you need for the day.
Healthy Recipe: Honey Garlic Salmon
INGREDIENTS • 1 1/4 lb salmon fillets • 2 tsp olive oil • salt and pepper to taste • 4 cloves garlic, minced • 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce • 3 tbsp honey • 2 tsp cornstarch • 1 tbsp chopped parsley • lemon wedges for garnish
DIRECTIONS Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium high heat. Season the salmon with salt and pepper to taste. Place the salmon skin side up in the pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side or until cooked through. Remove the salmon from the pan, place on a plate while covering with foil to keep warm. Add the garlic to the pan and cook for 30 seconds. Add the water, soy sauce and honey combination to the pan, and bring to a simmer. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water. Slowly pour the cornstarch mixture into the pan and whisk to combine. Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute or until sauce has just thickened. Return the salmon to the pan and spoon the sauce over the top. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with lemon wedges if desired. Recipe/Photo Courtesy: Sara of dinneratthezoo.com/honey-garlic-salmon
www.ptofmelissa.com
Call Today! (972) 837-4450
Made with FlippingBook Learn more on our blog