Childrens Backpacks Safety Part II

Proper packing of your toddler's backpack

Weight limit on the backpack is important, but the arrangement of items

in the pack can be the determining factor between good and bad posture.

In general, heavier items should be found at the bottom of the backpack. This places the weight closer to the hips where the muscles are stronger.

Items should also be packed tightly to prevent rocking of the weight while travelling. Rocking increases the strain on your child's back and in effect, brings the weight of the backpack to more than its actual weight.

If you find that it is troublesome to secure the items tightly because your toddler needs to use them often, you can try to buy backpacks with compartment design.

Compartment design comes in many different styles. Simply choose a toddler backpack that fits what you need to pack and Volia! Your items are properly secured in their compartments without you having to organise them.

Proper lifting techniques

Other than taking care to provide your kid with the best backpack designs, the most effective way to prevent back injuries is by teaching your child proper lifting techniques.

Neither your back nor your child's back will ever be strong enough to lift a heavy backpack satisfactorily. One should always bend your knees, rather than just your back alone, when picking up weights.

By bending your knees, you make use of your leg muscles (especially your thighs) to help pick up the load. Using only your back muscles is very risky and is potentially injurious!

Reflective materials

Safety for your toddler is not just keeping his/her back protected. Backpacks usually cover more than half of your child's frame, making it difficult to see him/her from the back. It is avoidable that children cross roads with traffic on their way to school.

Make sure his/her backpack is designed with reflective materials displayed on highly visible positions. Reflective materials on backpacks function like the reflective vests traffic police officers wear when directing traffic. It makes them easily detected by road users, thus keeping your child safe.

Depending on the use your child has for his/her backpacks; there may be many other safety issues that you should consider. Choose your child's backpack wisely and backpacks should help to improve the safety of your child, not compromise it.