Presented by TP Mechanical | Provided by HORAN
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, over 5,000 children under the age of 19 suffered backpack-related injuries last year. The vast majority of these injuries were caused by overloaded and incorrectly fitted backpacks.
While you may not have complete control over the weight of your child’s backpack, you can purchase a well-fitting, comfortable backpack. When shopping for a backpack, search for:
- The proper size (never wider or longer than your child’s torso, never hanging more than 4 inches below waist)
- Padded back and shoulder straps
- Multiple compartments and a waist or chest strap to help balance the weight
- Reflective, lightweight material
Purchasing a good backpack for your child is just the first step in preventing backpack-related injuries. Be sure to encourage them to always use both straps when carrying their backpacks and to only pack what is absolutely necessary to carry.
This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be exhaustive, nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as professional advice. Readers should contact a health professional for appropriate advice. © 2016 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.