Back-to-School: Backpack Safety

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. - Shopping for school supplies can take longer than you think. Especially when it comes to finding that perfect backpack for your child.

Choosing the wrong style or wearing it incorrectly can hurt your child's neck, shoulders, or back. Holly Bloomquist, a physical therapist at Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, told 10 On Your Side, "A lot of kids are wearing the one strap over the one arm and we really want to try to better evenly distribute the pressures from left to right side of the body. You want to also try to wear the backpack correctly and that it should be centered in the middle of the child's back."

Here are some rules to follow when wearing a backpack:

• Choose the right size.
• The backpack should never weigh more than 15% of your body weight.
• Bend with your knees to pick up the bag and lift with your legs.
• Use both padded, shoulder straps and the waist strap if there is one.

A rolling backpack is another option, but check with your child's school because some don't allow them.

For more information on backpack safety, click on the link below.

www.backpacksafe.com