Healthy backs need the right backpack
In the market for a new school backpack? Here are some safety tips from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Kids may be keen on form - backpacks that are cute, colorful and coordinate with school outfits. But smart parents know that function should rule the day, especially for kids who attend middle schools and high schools without lockers and carry around heavy textbooks all day.
Carrying a heavy, poorly-fitting backpack takes its toll. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were 12,309 backpack injuries last year that resulted in visits to doctor’s offices, hospitals and emergency rooms.
The orthopaedic surgeons’ group recommends looking for a backpack that has:
When organizing a backpack:
Final tip from Such A Smart Mom:
