BACKPACK SAFETY BACKPACKS BUYING A BACKPACK MEASURING FOR A BACKPACK RESULTS OF A HEAVY BACKPACK WAYS TO LIGHTEN THE BURDEN LIFTING THE BACKPACK CORRECTLY Ms. D. Debono ( H&S Teacher ) ST. BENEDICT COLLEGE ST. LUCIA

SCHOOL BACKPACKS

Buying a suitable backpack is not about the latest designs or cartoon characters. Carrying a backpack may seem harmless BUT a student may be carrying more than 4 ½ kilos in a backpack

Bad Habits Heavy backpacks can cause some health problems if these poor habits are left uncorrected including : –back problems –neck problems –headaches – may or may not be painful. –may have drastic long-term spinal problems

–THEREFORE It is especially important to call your Doctor or see a specialist if any pain or discomfort in the shoulders, neck, legs or back is experienced. - WHY? to check and correct any possible spinal or postural problemsbefore they get worse.

Choosing the correct backpack The maximum weight for your child's loaded backpack should not exceed 15% of his or her body weight. Be appropriately sized for the child. It should neither be higher than their shoulders when sitting down with it, nor be wider than their chest.

Backpack Maximum Weight Chart (For Children) ( Acc. To the American Physical Therapy Association; American Academy of Orthopeadic Surgeons and The American Chiropractic Association) Weight Of Child Kg Kg 34 – Kg – Kg – 68 Kg 68 – Kg Maximum Backpack Weight 2.26 Kg 4.53 Kg 6.80 Kg 8.16 Kg 9.07 Kg Kg No one should carry more than Kg in a backpack

Measuring for a Backpack 1.Backpacks should be only slightly smaller but not larger than a child’s back. 2. Take accurate measurements. 3. Measure the width between shoulders 4.Measure from shoulder line to the waist line and add two inches or 5 cm. This length is the maximum height a backpack should be. 5. Backpack should rest about two inches below the shoulder line and four inches to six inches below the waist line.

If the backpack is heavier than 15 % of the student’s weight, it will cause you to bend forward in an attempt to support the weight on the back rather than on the shoulders. This rounding of the shoulders will result in back, shoulder and neck pain. RESULTS OF A HEAVY BACKPACK

Carrying a heavy backpack over one shoulder Slinging a heavy backpack over one shoulder every day causes: Muscle fatigue A lowered state of health Wear - or if you are a parent - insist that your child wears both shoulder straps. Using one shoulder strap causes the child to lean to one side to make up for the uneven weight.

May alter the spine curvature and produce back pain Provoke serious postural misalignments. Restrict movement Can affect balance, posture and spinal health. Carrying a heavy backpack over one shoulder

Neck Back Shoulders Pelvic Bones End of Spine Using one shoulder strap causes pain in :

Good Posture when carrying a backpack Slightly bending forward

Important Features of a Backpack

Choose wide well-padded shoulder straps. 1. SHOULDER STRAPS

Shoulders and necks have many blood vessels and nerves that can cause pain and tingling in the neck, arms, and hands when

Straps that are too narrow can dig into shoulders and interfere with circulation and nerves causing numbness, tingling, and weakness in the arms and hands

Wear the waist belt if the backpack has one so that –  most of the weight rests on the hips and pelvis, not on the shoulders and spine  to secure the load when walking 2. THE WAIST BELT

3. THE CHEST BELT A (padded) chest strap / Belt helps steady the load and prevent the straps slipping off the shoulders. It should sit about 10 cm down from the Adam’s apple Waist Belt Chest belt

4. PADDED BACK A padded or cushioned back will provide increased comfort and take the weight off the shoulders. Make sure it is lightweight so that it doesn’t add to the load. Cushioned Back

5. FITS SNUGGLY TO THE BACK Adjust the straps so that the pack fits snugly to the child's back. The bottom of the backpack should rest in the curve of the lower back and the top touch just below the big knob on the back of your neck. A pack that hangs loosely from the back can pull the child backwards and strain muscles

6. SEVERAL COMPARTMENTS 1.Individualized compartments help position the contents effectively. 2. Have several pockets to help with even weight distribution and organisation inside. 3.Pointed or bulky objects are to be packed away from the area that will rest on your the back. 4. Place the heaviest items closest to the body - closest to the back of the pack. 5. Arrange books and materials so they won't slide around in the backpack.

Other Important Characteristics Be comparatively lightweight. Fully packed it shouldn’t weigh more than 15% of the child’s body weight (that’s the lean body weight, so it’s even less for overweight children). Be sturdy and reasonably water- resistant The material should be firm to prevent sagging. The base should be abrasive-resistant and/or reinforced. A drink bottle holder on the side keeps potential spillages outside the pack.

LIFTING THE BACKPACK CORRECTLY 1.Lift bag up by the loop 2.Bend at the knee. facing the straps 3.Use both hands to check the weight of the pack. 4.Lift and push up with your legs, not your back 5.Place one strap over the shoulder, then the other OR put bag on the edge of a desk and loop both arms through together. PARENTS: Remember to show your child how to put the backpack on properly.

REMEMBER

1.Follow the timetable. 2.Different textbooks are needed on different days. 3.Make good use of your locker. 4.Parents help your child plan her schedule. 5.Many books could be left in the locker if not needed. 6.Bring addition items to school on days when load is light so that they can leave them in their lockers for later use. 7.Files: Follow Timetable - flat files can be used then papers to be filed properly later. 8.Leave unnecessary items at home. 7 Ways to Lighten the Burden.

The bigger the schoolbag, the more stuff gets put inside. Look for a bag that can carry the books you will need to carry, but don't go for oversized backpacks. Bigger Is Not Better

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