Make it as light as possible
(*this news item will not be available after 12/05/2012)
By Diana Kohnle
Thursday, September 6, 2012
(HealthDay News) -- Kids already assume a heavy burden when they return to school in the fall, so don't make it worse with a heavy backpack.
The American Academy of Pediatrics offers these suggestions to help reduce your child's chances of pain and injury:
- Make sure your child's pack has a padded back and wide shoulder straps with padding.
- Use the compartments inside the backpack to make sure it's well-organized, with the heaviest items toward the back.
- Avoid overloading the pack. Don't exceed more than 20 percent of your child's body weight.
- Make sure your child always uses both shoulder straps.
- If your child must carry a lot of heavy books, see if the school allows a rolling backpack.
HealthDay
Copyright (c) 2012
HealthDay. All rights reserved.
- More Health News on:
-
Back Injuries
-
Back Pain
-
School Health
Recent Health News