A Safety Checklist for Kids’ Backpacks

Carrying heavy backpacks can lead to back pain, muscle fatigue and soreness, and other problems. Here’s how to lighten your kids’ loads:

• Pack it smart. Experts advise not letting children carry more than 15 percent of their body weight in their backpacks. Put the heaviest items closest to your child’s back.
• Buy a pack with a waist strap — and make sure your children use it for heavy loads.
• Tell your kids to bend with both knees when picking up a heavy pack.
• Make sure the straps of the backpack are wide and padded for comfort.
• Tell your kids it’s important to carry it evenly. A recent study concluded that carrying a pack on only one shoulder boosts the risk for back pain in adolescents.