Backpack Safety

As children return to school, it is a good time to look at  their backpacks and review some of the suggested safety tips outlined below.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests a backpack with two wide padded shoulder straps and a padded back.  

Hanging a backpack over one shoulder can strain muscles and increase the curvature  of a child's spine according to Kids Health for Parents.

You may also find the website BACKPACK Safety America a useful source of information on backpack safety. They quote a study to determine the magnitude of injuries due to heavy backpacks on patients ages 5 to 18 years across  North America.  A key finding shows that 89% of the chiropractors surveyed have seen patients reporting pain caused by backpacks.

Another source, The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons © has additional tips on backpack safety.

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