The first sign that summer is over is when we start to think about purchasing school supplies for back to school. Obviously, some of you reading this don’t have children; however, this is very applicable to you as well.

The increased demands in our daily life have us filling our bags with more and more stuff. This is most important when discussing our children. The pressure to carry all their books and the inability to either go to or use their lockers mean they amass a ton of weight to carry all day. So, I wanted to cover something that’s very important to me - backpack safety. If you are my reader without a child, some of the same rules apply when considering a work bag.

When purchasing a backpack, there are several things that you should consider to reduce the strain on your child’s back.

• Pick a backpack that has a lightweight material, so it is not adding to the increased weight. (Those of you with heavy work totes, perhaps a trendy backpack is in your future? The Prada nylon backpack or the Alexander Wang Wangsport are great options.) 

• Your backpack should have broad, padded straps and a padded backing on the bag. Both straps should be worn to prevent imbalances in your shoulders. (Thin strapped totes are stressful and can cut into your shoulders, resulting in headaches and neck pain!)

• Backpacks should be worn high and tight, meaning the backpack should not hang or drop off your child’s back. 

• Backpacks should not hang more than four inches below the waistline. 

• The backpack should not be bigger than your child’s torso. 

• Some bags will include a clip for the chest, which is very helpful when trying to distribute the weight of the bag. 

• Heavier, bigger books and laptops should be placed closest to the body.

• A backpack with multiple compartments is preferred so that you can place odd-shaped objects on either side. 

• Your child’s backpack should only weigh 15% of their body weight. For example, a 48-pound child’s backpack should weigh no more than seven pounds, and a 76-pound child should have a maximum weight of 11 pounds.

• Clean out your child’s backpack every other week, preventing the buildup of debris. 

Set your child up for success and prevent back pain with these tips today!