CLEVELAND – Your kids have the paper, the pencils and maybe even the books they need to head back to class. Now, they need something to put it all in.
But while they may be focusing on their favorite colors or characters, you may want to think about their health and safety.
The American Occupational Therapy Association reported kids should carry no more than 15 percent of their body weight in a backpack. But it’s not just about what’s in it.
Consumer Reports testers said how your child carries that backpack can also contribute to back pain.
“You want to make sure that they’re wearing both shoulder straps and the backpack is close to the body. When you look to purchase one, you want to make sure that they have contoured, padded shoulder straps, which soften the load of the backpack,” Alex Willen said.
Abdominal straps can also help distribute the weight.
Remember, backpacks are not one size fits all. Consumer Reports said the bottom of the backpack should line up with the curve of the lower back and not more than four inches below the waistline, and the anchor points of the shoulder strap should rest one or two inches below the top of the shoulders.
Also, while you’re shopping, look for loose threads, sloppy stitching and fabric edges that could fray.
And one safety feature to look for: Get a backpack that’s waterproof and equipped with reflectors or reflective fabric. It can make your child more visible at night and help prevent a tragedy.
