There are a lot of things out there that worry parents when it comes to their children’s safety after they leave the house for school. One of the most hidden safety issues that fail to concern parents to a high degree is the strain that a backpack places on your child’s back. Backpack safety is one of the most overlooked safety concerns among parents, teachers, and administrators. We are going to discuss some ways that should be able to tell you if your child is folding under the strain of the heavy backpack or if they have a healthy redistribution of weight.

Signs of a Heavy Backpack

You will want to look for these tell-tale signs that your child is struggling with a heavy backpack:

• Your child bends under the weight of the backpack.
• Your child does the “backpack shrug”, which is when a child thrusts his or her shoulders up and forward to make sure the backpack settles more comfortably into the shape of the back.
• Your child has red marks on his or her back where the backpack straps were.
• Your child grunts under the weight of the backpack after putting the backpack on.
• Your child consistently complains that his or her arms, shoulders, or fingers are falling asleep or have pins or needles.

How to Stop the Backpack Strain

The real process will start with purchasing the backpack, so as a parent, you will need to ensure that you do your due diligence when purchasing a backpack that will fit your child’s needs during their school year. Here are some tips to help:

• Choose a lighter fabric, like canvas, as opposed to leather.
• Ensure that the backpack has thicker straps with padding as opposed to thin straps that can more easily cut into your child’s shoulders.
• Try to purchase a backpack with a padded back.
• Look for backpacks with waist belts, which are important for backpack safety and keeps the weight distributed.
• Search for a backpack with several storage compartments; that additional storage can help to redistribute the weight.

For more tips for parents and educational resources, check out the rest of the Lake Forrest Prep blogs. If you’re interested in our Orlando private school, contact us today on our website, or by calling 407-331-5144.