April Is Backpack Safety Month

4 Steps to Safe Backpack Use

Below are helpful tips to insure you know how to safely use your backpack in order to promote spinal health.

Step 1: Choose Right. Choosing the right size backpack is the most important step to safe backpack use. Tip: Bring a friend to help you measure your backpack properly.

Step 2: Pack Right. The maximum weight of the loaded backpack should not exceed 15% of your body weight, so pack only what is needed.Tip:If the backpack forces the wearer to move forward to carry, it's overloaded.

Step 3: Lift Right. Face the Pack-Bend at knees - use both hands and check the weight of the pack - lift with the legs - Apply one shoulder strap and then the other Tip:Don't sling the backpack onto one shoulder.

Step 4: Wear Right. Use both shoulder straps - snug, but not too tight. Tip: when the backpack has a waist strap - use it.