Backpack Safety
Physical Therapists Offer Backpack Saf
3 7 • A child’s backpack should weigh no more than about 10% of his or her body weight. This means a student weighing 100 pounds shouldn’t wear a loaded school 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. WRONG of bod weight ! 6 8 5 1 5 7 1 Backpack Strategies for Parents and Students Aching backs and shoulders? Tingling arms? Weakened muscles? Stooped posture? 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:
Print sudoku http://1sudoku.com • Select a pack with well-padded shoulder straps. Shoulders and necks have many blood vessels and nerves that can cause pain and tingling in the neck, arms, and hands when too much pressure is applied. • Adjust the shoulder straps s that the pack fits snugly on the child’s back. A pack that hangs loosely from the back can pull the child backwards and strain muscles. • Wear the waist belt if the backpack has one. This helps distribute the pack’s weight more evenly. • The bottom of the pack should rest in the curve of the lower back. It should never rest more than four inches below the child’s waistline. • School backpacks come in different sizes for different ages. Choose the right size 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. CORRECT 2 9 4 2 8 4 9 Wearing the backpack: • Distribute weight evenly by using both straps. Wearing a pack slung over one shoulder can cause a child to lean to one side, curving the spine and causing pain or discomfort.
WRONG CORRECT Strap on one shoulder Wide, padded straps on of body weight both shoulders
Physical Thera ists Offer Backpack Safety Tips
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Wear both straps Use of one strap causes one side of the wearing 2 shoulder straps, the weight of Wear the backpack over the stron Pay close attention to the way the back evenly in the middle of the back. Should put on and take off the backpack withou Straps should not be too loose, and the Lighten the load Keep the load at 10%-15% or less of th are required for the day. Organize the c items closest to the back. Some student carry the heavy books to and from scho How a Physical Therapist Can Hel A physical therapist can help you choos child. Children come in all shapes and s require special adaptations. Additionally problems, correct muscle imbalances, a CORRECT Load no more than 10%-15% of body weight
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WRONG
Strap on one shoulder Wide, padded straps on
Load too heavy
both shoulders
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5 3 Wear both straps Use of one strap causes one side of the body to bear the weight of the b ckpack. By wearing 2 shoulder straps, the weight of the backpack is better distributed.
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n° 329837 - Level Hard
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Wear the backpack over the strongest mid-back muscle
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