Does your child like to cram all of their toys in their backpacks because they have Show-and-Tell at school, only to be perpendicularly challenged with the excess weight? Or your teenager carries all 8 of their class textbooks in their bag because walking an extra 50 steps to their locker takes too much effort? If this describes your child, beware that the extra weight, sometimes as much as one quarter of their body weight, can lead to more serious problems.
So how do you pick out the best backpack for your child? The National Safety Council recommends one that is:
- Designed to be comfortable
- Not wider or longer than the torso and not hanging more than 4 inches below waist
- Has padded back and shoulder straps
- Has hip and chest belts to redistribute the weight
- Provides multiple compartments
- Contains reflective material
Remember that bigger doesn’t mean better. The larger the backpack, the more likelihood your child will find a way to fill it entirely. Backpack safety is a concern for children all ages, it is important to be aware of not only how the backpack fits, but also how they carry it. For those teens that only use one strap, remind them that there are two shoulder straps for a reason, favoring one can cause muscle pain and posture problems.
Unfortunately not all backpacks are built with the child’s health in mind. If your child has sustained an injury from a faulty backpack, call The Gilbert Law Group®, based in Arvada, Colorado, to discuss your case. We are a highly experience legal team here to ensure you and your child’s legal rights are protected. Call us today at (303) 431-1111 for a free consultation; we represent clients nationwide.
