1. Put their school bags on a scale. If the backpack and all of its contents weighs more than 15 percent of the child's body weight, it's too heavy and puts him at risk of injury. Ideally, the safest weight percentage is less than 10% percent.
2. Check the content. Go through the stuffs in your kids backpack and make sure that he only carries what is necessary. Do encourage the kids to keep as many items as possible in a desk or locker, and bring home only what is just needed to do homework. If possible, buy some duplicates of the heavy things like the calculator to keep at your house so he does not need to carry them back and forth.
3. Invest on quality school backpacks. Make sure that it has two padded, wide straps that distribute weight evenly--a waist strap helps do the same. A padded back provides a soft cushion to keep objects inside the pack from being felt by the wearer. A backpack with adequate space and zippered compartments allows for proper placement of heavy books.
4. Wear it properly. Ensure that your children how to properly wear and lift her backpack. They should use both straps on carrying their bags. Wearing only one strap can put too much weight on the shoulder and can cause injury. Teach her to pack the heaviest books closest to the center of her back ---this reduces strain. Have your kids put on her backpack on. Adjust the straps for her so that the bottom of the backpack place on about 2 inches above her waist. Remind your kids to bend their knees when lifting a heavy backpack off the floor rather than at the waist.
5. Coordinate with the teachers. Speak to teachers and work with them to create a pro-health plan. Suggest that they limit the number of books that need to be carried home every night and then encourage them to put assignments online or use the CD-ROMs that often come with textbooks. If the students use lockers at school, find out if they have enough opportunities and time during the day to switch their books. Spreading information about backpack-related injuries is the best way to raise awareness and effectively implement changes.
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