School is back in session, and backpacks are back in full force! The third Wednesday of September each year is National Backpack Awareness Day, with its international counterpart occurring later in October. This day is supported by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and focuses on proper backpack usage to keep students safe and comfortable.
The AOTA recommendations state that a backpack should weigh no more than 10% of the child’s total body weight. Thus, a 100-lb. student should not carry a backpack weighing more than 10 lbs. Yet many school-aged children carry bags that are heavier than these recommended guidelines. A report from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission found that between 2019 and 2021, an average of 1,200 students per year were treated in emergency rooms for backpack injuries.
This annual backpack day is designed to educate parents, teachers, and administrators on weight recommendations and provide tips for correctly fitting and managing a backpack. This includes using both shoulder straps, fitting the backpack snugly against the back, and ensuring the backpack’s bottom does not fall more than 4 inches below the child’s waistline.
Help spread the word about Backpack Awareness Day in your school or community!
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