Back to School Backpack Safety: How to Spare Your Child’s Back From Injury
I was sent several of these Backpack Binders for review and was the slightest bit confused when they arrived. Are they a backpack? Or a binder? Well, my energetic one shown here tore open the package and all was revealed. They are binders, of course, but with a difference.
These Backpack Binders are extremely light, because the company that makes them believes the lighter the better and that children’s backpacks are already to full, which is leading to a large number of back injuries. So lighten the load in the backpack, by carrying one of these and you are off to a good start. I like the cute skateboarder pictures on several of the covers. They are light. I am unsure how sturdy they are, but they look to be at least as well constructed as several on the market already. This week I spied them at Costco in the same packet of 6 for only $9.99. That’s a really good price.
I give this one a $$$$$ out of $$$$$.
I interviewed Physiotherapist Rana Lamy of Montreal regarding how to wear a backpack safely to spare your child injury.
Ten Tips For How to Choose the Right Backpack for Back to School
1. The right backpack for your child should always have padded straps. The straps should fit snug.
2. Don’t overload the backpack. Choose light materials for in the backpack like the Backpack binder. Or softcover books and Ipads instead of heavy textbooks.
3. The backpack should fit properly and never go past the back of the child.
4. The more pockets the better, so the weight is spread around.
5. There are backpacks with waste belts and those are the best. They spread the weight on the hips and that’s better for the child’s back.
6. Remove unnecessary items from the backpack often. Too much stuff equals too much weight.
7. Always wear both straps to protect the shoulders and back. When it is slung over one shoulder it actually hurts the back.
8. Don’t skimp on the backpack. It needs to be a quality product that will last and not hurt the child’s back.
9. Carry water bottles and lunches separately. Do not cram them into the backpack.
10. Lockers are excellent for those who have access to one. It spares carrying too much weight around all day.
A backpack should not carry more than 10 to 15 % of the child’s weight.
“We are seeing more and more kids with back, neck and shoulder pain due to heavy backpacks.”
Children’s heavy backpacks can lead to adult back pain, according to Lamy. Protect your child now from a lifetime of back pain later.
11 Comments
Karen
Love this, with three kids who are small for their age, we struggle with this constantly!
Mama Luvs Books
This is great! I always worry about the impact the heavy books will have on them!
Kari
Good tips! I have two high schoolers (with 8 classes each) and I always worry about the loads they carry in their backpacks.
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell
My kids are good about using both straps. I’m terrible about that. That’s how I carried it in high school. Thanks for the reminder!
Erika Bragdon
Those are good tips and that’s great to know that a company is thinking about our kids and making lighter products. Thanks for sharing!
Cheryl Kirkness
Such great tips – this isn’t something I had considered before!
daytodayMOMents
Great tips, I remember my back pack that was bigger than me.
ATLanta Saving Moms
Wonderful tips that you have shared with us all. 🙂
Danielle Simmons
Love binders! I always enjoyed having a different one for each subject so I didn’t have to carry them all with me.
Elizabeth FrugalMomEh
These are all great tips and I love the idea behind the binders! Smart!
Tesa @ 2 Wired 2 Tired
Those are some good tips. I remember having an overloaded backpack far too often when I was a kid. I try to make sure my kids are not carrying more than they should.