Children often choose backpacks because of the colors or cartoon characters featured on them. We all know their hearts and imaginations are in the right place but children do not always consider the safety issues involved with choosing a good backpack.
It is wise to make sure that backpacks have enough support and that they are equipped with the proper straps. Also, take the time to show your children how to wear their backpacks so that they can minimize the stress a heavy pack can cause on their back, shoulders and neck.
What Problems Can Backpacks Cause?
The spine is made of 33 bones called vertebrae, and between the vertebrae are disks that act as natural shock absorbers.
A heavy backpack causes children to arch their backs or lean their heads forward to compensate for the weight of the bag. This causes stress in the muscles of the neck and back, increasing the risk of fatigue and injury.
Because of the heavy weight, your child might begin to develop shoulder, neck, and back pain. Most doctors and physical therapists recommend that a child carry no more than 10% to 15% of their body weight in their packs.
If a child wears their backpack on one shoulder, they may end up leaning to one side to compensate for the extra weight. They might develop lower and upper back pain and strained shoulders and neck. In addition, narrow straps that dig into the shoulders can interfere with circulation and the nervous system, and a child might develop tingling and weakness in their arms and hands.
Speak with a doctor or physical therapist if your children:
- Struggle to get their backpacks on or off
- Experience back pain
- Have to lean forward to carry their packs
- Feel numbness or weakness in their arms or legs
Using Backpacks Safely
Despite their potential problems, backpacks can be used properly. Before buying a backpack, consider the backpack's construction.
The safest backpacks have the following features:
- Two wide, padded straps that go over the shoulders.
- A padded waist or chest belt to distribute weight more evenly across the body.
- Multiple compartments to distribute the weight of the load.
- A width not greater than the child's torso.
Packs that are slung over the shoulder or across the chest or only have one strap aren't as effective at distributing the weight as backpacks with two wide shoulder straps.
Children can also avoid injuries by picking up their backpacks properly. As with any heavy weight, children should bend at the knees and grab their pack with both hands when lifting a backpack to their shoulders.
The information above has been provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 
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