Back to school tips on how to properly wear a backpack

We’re into the first few weeks of school and want to raise awareness of the heavy loads our kids are carrying on their backs. Here are some helpful tips from the American Occupational Therapy Association:
Never let a child carry more than 15% of his or her body weight. This means a child who weighs 100 pounds shouldn’t wear a loaded school backpack heavier than 15 pounds.
Load heaviest items closest to the child’s back. 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 to the day’s activities. On days the backpack is too loaded, your child can carry books or other items in his/her hands. If the backpack is still too heavy to carry, consider using a book bag on wheels if your child’s school allows it.
Use both shoulder 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. Choose a pack with well-padded shoulder straps and tension adjustment. 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.
Make sure the pack fits close to your 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 to help 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’s back as well as one with enough room for necessary school items.
Throughout the school year, be sure to check the straps and make sure the pack is still fitting like it should. Kids grow quickly, so make sure the pack is growing with them.