Backpack Safety Tips for Your Child

Your student is heading back to school, and the odds are good that they’ll have plenty of books, stationery, folders, and more to carry around in their backpack. If your child doesn’t wear it properly or carries around too much in it, they could wind up in pain. But if you know some tips for backpack safety, you can help your child prevent a back injury and stay focused on their studies. 

Backpack Safety Tips to Avoid a Back Injury

How Much Should a Backpack Weigh? 

A lightweight backpack is a good choice for growing students because it’s easier to use. But your child may be tempted to try and cram in as much as possible to avoid having to make extra trips to their locker. Encourage your child to make use of their locker and only carry what they need from classroom to classroom. 

As for how much a full backpack should weigh, it’s best to shoot for 10% to 20% of your child’s body weight. So if your kiddo is 100 pounds, get them into the habit of not carrying more than 10 or 20 pounds in their backpack at a time. 

Proper Backpack Strap Usage

It may look cool to sling a backpack over one shoulder, but using both straps is the surest way to prevent a back injury. Tighten the straps of your child’s backpack so that it’s flush against their back, and make sure they know to use both straps at all times. 

Using both straps ensures that the weight is properly distributed, preventing muscle soreness, back injuries, and spinal misalignments. If you get your child a backpack with straps that join across the waist or chest, even better. While a rolling backpack may lighten the burden even more, you’ll want to caution your child against rolling it when there’s a lot of foot traffic as it can be a tripping hazard. 

Prevent a Back Injury with Somerset Hills Chiropractic

If your child is experiencing pain, following these backpack safety tips may not be enough. Pediatric chiropractic care can help correct improper alignment, improve posture, reduce pain, and prevent a back injury from occurring in the future. And it’s absolutely as safe for kids as it is for parents. Somerset Hills Chiropractic is here to help take care of your student in Bernardsville, NJ—schedule your appointment online or give us a call at (908) 221-0808.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Brian Wallace

Dr. Glenn Eigenmann

Dr. Raymond Horman