According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2013, 22,000 strains, sprains, dislocations, and fractures from backpacks were treated.

One major cause of backpack injuries is the weight of the backpack. The backpack should not weigh more than 10% of the child’s weight.

Weight should be distributed between various compartments and pockets. The heaviest items should be kept closest to the back center, lighter objects in front and sharp objects in front.

The backpack should be picked up utilizing the knees rather than bending and swinging to put on the backpack.

Both shoulder straps should always be used. The backpack should not extend past the shoulders or below the top of the hip bones.

Warning signs of any improperly fitted backpack include:

-Difficulty putting on and taking off

-Pain when wearing

-Tingling and numbness in the arms and legs

-Red marks in the front of the shoulders

In honor of back to school time, Paramount is giving away one backpack full of school supplies for each office! For information on how to enter visit us at https://prsmichigan.com/2019/07/backpack-giveaway/