In Washington state, all public school students will be offered hybrid learning options for grades K-6 by April 5th and grades 7-12 by April 19th. For many of our students, this may be the first time in almost a year that they have needed to wear a backpack! 

Here are some helpful tips and reminders for safe backpack use for our little students: 

• Make sure your child’s backpack weighs no more than 10% of your child’s body weight. Encourage your student to clean their backpack out regularly so that there isn’t a lot of unnecessary extra weight.

• Wider, padded backpack straps can help with weight distribution, and both straps should be worn.

• Place heavier books closer to your child’s back

• Make sure the backpack straps are tightened and that the lower part of the backpack should rest no lower than 4 inches below the waistline. Hip and chest buckles should be fastened (if the backpack has them) to distribute the weight through the hips and shoulders.

• Encourage your child to stand tall! A properly adjusted backpack should help promote upright standing posture

Signs that a backpack may be too heavy or not adjusted properly: 

• Red marks on the shoulders after use

• Pain when wearing the backpack

• Tingling or numbness in the arms and/or hands

If you notice your child complaining of any pain or discomfort from prolonged backpack use, contact us! We’d be happy to help problem solve solutions and provide treatment as needed.

Click here to get a copy of our free backpack safety guide!