Instah > Children Health > It is heavy, it’s my books
It is heavy, it’s my books
School is back in session. From 5-year-olds to college bound students, the books and the backpacks are meeting each other and believe it or not, it may be an important safety alert for parents. Books have never been light and paper is amazingly heavy and now we add the laptop, calculator, and assorted other necessaries and that bag is HEAVY.
Backpacks are designed to be safe if used correctly. They distribute weight equally across the shoulders and back as long as they are put on properly. Carrying the backpack on one shoulder repeatedly will cause pain eventually across the shoulder, neck and back and may even cause a bruise across the top of the shoulder. Sitting on the bus with the backpack on is hard on the back too, since it pushes the student forward into an abnormal posture and can create pressure points. Remind the student to take the backpack off for car or bus rides. Students on bikes with a heavy backpack can overbalance easily with sudden shifting. Make sure they are aware of the danger and wearing their helmets.
Students should carry no more than 15 percent of their own body weight. The average kindergarten student weighs 40 pounds that means the backpack should only have six pounds on board. Most the kids walking to the bus are way past that weight judging from the appearance that their toes are not making contact. It’s like loading the car truck with 500 pounds and wondering why the front-wheel drive is acting funny.
To unload your students, small ones and tall ones, empty out the non-essentials! The hole- punch and stapler are probably not needed. Carry bigger, heavier books under an arm instead of in the backpack. Distribute the books etc. evenly throughout the backpack to avoid pressure points and shifting. Wear the pack on both shoulders and if it has an abdomen or chest strap use it to distribute the weight uniformly and avoid strap bruises.
Finally, if your student is complaining about neck or back pain or headaches, look at the backpack as a probable source of injury. Unload the bag, make sure they are wearing it correctly (even when you are not looking) and see a doctor if the problem persists. Be safe.
Related posts from Past:
