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Back to School: BackPack Safety

Kids are heading back to school which means that backpacks are once again being used daily.  Here are a few tips to help you show your child the best ways to pack and wear a backpack.

• Backpacks and their contents should weigh between 10-20% of your child’s body weight.
• Get a backpack that rests at the small of their low back (below their bottom is too large)
• Wide shoulder straps help distribute the weight
• Waist and chest straps help take weight off only the shoulders
• Adjustable shoulder straps help keep the backpack higher on your child’s back
• Pack heavier items at the bottom of the pack
• Keep heavier items closer to the back, meaning don’t use smaller outer pockets for heavy items
• Leave a water bottle and shoes at school to minimize the items going back and forth.
• Minimize any items going in the outer pockets as centre of gravity will be thrown off as a result
• If the backpack is too heavy/loaded, have your child carry a book or two in their arms to minimize strain on their back