"Pack it Light, and Wear it Right!"

Welcome BACK to school from Occupational Therapy (OT)! The start of a new school year is an exciting time for students and teachers! As we load up on supplies and materials to kick off our learning, it is important to keep in mind some important facts on Backpack Awareness. Click HERE for more information and helpful tips or visit the American Occupational Therapy Association’s website, AOTA.org.

Did you know….?

• More than 79 million students in the US wear backpacks.

• It is recommended that a student should not carry a backpack that weighs more than 10% of his or her body weight. This means that for a child who weighs 50 lbs, the backpack should weigh no more than 5 lbs.

• More than 50% of students carry backpacks that are above the recommended weight.

• In a recent study 64% of middle school students reported back pain related to heavy backpacks.

• An average of 2,000 back-pack related injuries are treated in hospitals, doctors’ offices, and health clinics yearly!!

Protect your child from backpack-related injury!

• Choose the right size backpack for your child.

• Check backpack regularly for extra or unnecessary books and materials that your child is carrying.

• Choose a backpack with two shoulder straps and ensure that the weight is distributed evenly to both shoulders.

• Load heaviest items closest to the child’s pack.

• Adjust the shoulder straps to fit your child snugly.

• The bottom of the backpack should rest in the curve of the child’s back. Backpacks that hang too low can cause muscle strain.