It’s National School Backpack Day and it’s a time to review some tips on how students should be wearing their backpacks to prevent injuries.

Occupational Therapist with 21st Century Rehabilitation Tyler Ommen says a good rule to keep in mind when selecting a backpack is making sure it sits two-inches below the shoulder blade and just above the hip. He recommends placing the heavier items towards the child’s back, with the lighter items toward the front. Ommen points out that a backpack should be worn over both shoulders. He explains what kinds of injuries could develop if a child wears their backpack over one shoulder.

“It can cause an increase of risk of potential fall(s), (it) can lead to excessive strain on the neck, the shoulder, the core, the lower back muscles. You can imagine, they’re wearing sort of heavier than normal backpacks and they’re putting them over one shoulder you’re putting a lot of pressure on that one area.”  

Ommen recommends children not carry more than 10-percent of their body weight in their backpack. Another way to help save someone from potential strain on their back is to find a backpack with chest or hip straps.