Easy Tips to Keep Kids Safe With Backpacks

Quick Smiles:

• Pediatrician Gabriella Dauer shares expert advice on backpack safety for children.
• Practical tips help prevent back pain and muscle strain in kids.
• Proper backpack fit and weight guidelines support kids’ health at school.

Florida pediatrician Gabriella Dauer is helping parents keep their children safe with smart backpack habits. She explains that using both shoulder straps, wide and thick straps, and chest or belly clips can help prevent one-sided strain and make carrying easier for kids.

“You tell your kid to put both of those shoulder straps on because they’ll usually put it on one, and it’ll cause unilateral shoulder strain and back strain on that one side. Use both the straps.”

Dauer recommends backpacks with multiple compartments, allowing heavier items to be packed closest to the child’s back. This simple trick helps maintain better posture and reduces muscle strain.

“Kids won’t lean forward trying to lift that weight. That causes more muscle strain.”

The backpack should fit the child’s body without hanging below the waist or being wider than their back. Dauer suggests parents occasionally carry their child’s backpack to check its weight, or have kids carry lighter items by hand.

A study in ‘AAP Grand Rounds’ highlights that backpacks should be no more than 10% of a child’s weight for all ages. Items like electronics, textbooks, and water bottles add up quickly, so mindfulness about what goes in the bag is key.

If a child complains about backpack discomfort, Dauer suggests looking for ways to lighten the load and encourages monitoring for signs of serious pain.

“Significant back pain — which, for example, wakes up a child from sleep — is a red flag … and should be evaluated by a doctor. That’s different from a bit of back pain or muscle strain after a long day of carrying a backpack.”

With a few easy adjustments, parents can help their kids head to school feeling comfortable and supported every day!

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