According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 14 thousand children are treated annually for backpack related injuries.

Here’s Back in Motion Physical Therapy’s top tips on how to choose the best backpack for your child.

PICK THE RIGHT PACK

Young Kids:

• Light weight.
• 2 padded straps, adjustable.
• Size, no wider than the child’s trunk, no taller than waist to shoulders.

Grades 6 – College:

• Padded back.
• Waist belt helps distributes the weight.

FIT

• When packed, adjust strap so bag is no lower than a line around their belly button.

PACKING IT

• Limit the weight – Rule is 15-18% of your weight.
• Keep the biggest, heaviest books closest to your back.
• Carry things separately that go over the weight limit.