Back to School – Backpack Safety

Many of us are living in a state of denial that the upcoming school year is right around the corner. For many families, the end of summer includes school shopping and buying the never-ending supply of notebooks, crayons, pencils, pens, scissors, and folders. This can feel like an overwhelming amount of supplies as we add it all to our cart. Now imagine that all going into a backpack that is being carried around on your child’s back. Some of this is unavoidable, which is why we would love to give some helpful tips to ensure healthy backpack safety this upcoming school year.

Did you know the average high school student’s backpack weighs around 20-30 pounds? For reference, this is the equivalent of 4 gallons of water, a desktop computer, a 50-inch television, or your average stroller. The recommended weight of a backpack carried on your shoulders is 3 pounds for every 20 pounds of weight, in other words no more than 10-20 percent of your child’s body weight. With that being said, is your child’s backpack too heavy? Do you cringe when you hear their backpack hit the ground? Many of us know a backpack is a necessary item for most, if not all, students; the key is making sure that they are being used in the healthiest, best way possible. We have included some helpful tips for your student to keep in mind this upcoming school year.

Picking the Best Backpack for Your Child

The best backpack for your child is one that is lightweight, with padded shoulder straps and a padded back. If you can find one with a waist strap, that is even better. This will provide the most comfort for your child. If possible, avoid picking a backpack or bag that has one shoulder strap or is more of a cross-body bag. These bags will put uneven stress on the body, leading to further issues down the road. 

Carry Your Backpack Correctly

I know we can’t always control what our kids are doing once they are on the bus; however, it is important to encourage them to carry their backpacks correctly. The proper way is to make sure the backpack is positioned evenly in the middle of the back near the body’s center of gravity. It is important that they are wearing both straps and that those straps are adjusted so that the backpack sits securely and doesn’t flop all over.

Only Carry What Is Necessary

Of course, this seems obvious. Anything that is not necessary for that day should either be left at school or at home. By planning out the day and knowing what is needed, you could help your child significantly reduce the weight of their backpack. Frequent stops at the locker can also help to reduce the weight of what is being carried around. When you can’t avoid heavy books and laptops, be sure to pack the heaviest items close to the body.