University of FloridaSolutions for Your Life

Download PDF
Publication #FAR1714

 

Backpack Safety1

Suzanna Smith2

Figure 1. 
[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

When my daughter started middle school, her backpack was bulging with heavy books, notebooks, and supplies. By the end of the day, her back ached.

When used correctly, backpacks carry the day's necessities on the body's strongest muscles (American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, 2004; Gavin, 2004). However, when backpacks are too heavy or worn incorrectly, they can injure muscles and joints, especially in growing children and teens (AAOS; Dobbs, 2004). An estimated one-half of U.S. school children carry too much weight in their backpacks (Dobbs) and the number of backpack-related injuries in children is increasing (National Safety Council, 2003).3

Parents can follow these guidelines to help their family use backpacks safely and prevent injuries.

First, choose the right backpack: one that fits right and has wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back, a waist belt, and is lightweight.4 Second, use the pack correctly: always use both shoulder straps, and wear the pack close to the body, resting evenly in the middle of the back (California Physical Therapy Association, 2003).

Third, pack only what is needed. The backpack should not weigh more than 15% of the student's body weight (California Physical Therapy Association, 2003). Spread the weight among the compartments, with heavier items closest to the center of the back (American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, 2004).5 Encourage your student to use a locker if available.

How do parents know if their children are injured? Signs of a load that's too heavy include struggling to put on or take off the pack, stooped posture, pain when wearing the pack, and tingling or numbness in the arms (Gavin, 2004; National Safety Council, 2003). If these problems continue after adjusting the pack, see your family doctor or pediatrician.

Listening, learning, and living together: it's the science of life. "Family Album" is a co-production of University of Florida IFAS Extension, the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, and of WUFT-FM. If you'd like to learn more, please visit our website at http://www.familyalbumradio.org.

To listen to the radio broadcast:

http://www.radiosource.net/radio_stories/456.mp3

http://www.radiosource.net/radio_stories/456.wav

*Injury occurs in several ways. When a backpack is too heavy, it pulls a person backwards, and the person may lean forward to compensate. Bending forward at the hips and arching the back can compress the spine unnaturally (Gavin, 2004). Over time, the shoulders can become rounded and the upper back curved, and the child or teen can develop shoulder, neck, and back pain (Gavin). In addition, tight, narrow straps may interfere with circulation, and heavy weight may cause stress or compression to the shoulders and arms. When nerves are compressed, the child may experience tingling or numbness in the arms and hands (Gavin; California Physical Therapy Association, 2003). When wearing the backpack over just one shoulder, the child or teen may lean to one side to compensate for the extra weight (Gavin). This can result in lower and upper back pain, shoulder and neck strain, and poor posture (Gavin; American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, 2004).

**Reflective material also helps keep the child visible to drivers at night (California Physical Therapy Association, 2003).

***To check the fit of your child's backpack, see http://ergonomics.about.com/od/ergonomicsforchildren/ss/cbpfitguide.htm [14 August 2012].

References

American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. (2004). Backpack safety. Retrieved June 13, 2006, from http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=105&topcategory=Spine.

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2006). Back to school tips. Retrieved June 13, 2006, from http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/augschool.htm [delinked 14 August 2012].

American Academy of Pediatrics (n.d.). Backpack safety. Retrieved June 13, 2006, from http://www.aap.org/advocacy/backpack_safety.PDF [delinked 14 August 2012].

California Physical Therapy Association (2003). Is your child's backpack making the grade? Retrieved June 13, 2006, from http://www.ccapta.org/BackpackSafety.htm [delinked 14 August 2012]..

Dobbs, M. (2006). Backpack safety—Lighten the load! Retrieved June 13, 2006, from http://stlouischildrens.org/conditionsillnesses/ConditionsIllnessesArticles/tabid/88/itemid/2131/Default.aspx.

Gavin, M. (2004). Backpack basics. Retrieved June 13, 2006, from http://kidshealth.org/teen/school_jobs/school/backpack.html.

National Safety Council. (2004). Backpack-related injuries in children. Retrieved June 13, 2006, from http://www.nsc.org/library/facts/backpack.htm [delinked 14 August 2012].

Footnotes

1.

This document is FAR1714, one of a series of the Family Youth and Community Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Broadcast as program 456. Published April 2009. Revised April 2009. Reviewed March 2012. In the interest of time and/or clarity, the broadcast version of this script may have been modified. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

Suzanna Smith, associate professor, Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.

3.

Injury occurs in several ways. When a backpack is too heavy, it pulls a person backwards, and the person may lean forward to compensate. Bending forward at the hips and arching the back can compress the spine unnaturally (Gavin, 2004). Over time, the shoulders can become rounded and the upper back curved, and the child or teen can develop shoulder, neck, and back pain (Gavin). In addition, tight, narrow straps may interfere with circulation, and heavy weight may cause stress or compression to the shoulders and arms. When nerves are compressed, the child may experience tingling or numbness in the arms and hands (Gavin; California Physical Therapy Association, 2003). When wearing the backpack over just one shoulder, the child or teen may lean to one side to compensate for the extra weight (Gavin). This can result in lower and upper back pain, shoulder and neck strain, and poor posture (Gavin; American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, 2004).

4.

Reflective material also helps keep the child visible to drivers at night (California Physical Therapy Association, 2003).

5.

To check the fit of your child's backpack, see http://www.ccapta.org/BackpackSafetyIllus.htm.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, Dean.