Article By: Ayobola Fasuyi.

Backpacks just as the name implies are bags worn at the back. It is used by people who go walking or camping. Backpacks are mostly used by hikers and students alike and are often preferred as handbags for carrying heavy items.

Kids Backpacks allow students to find what they need on time and help put things in order. It has separate pockets for things like pencils, snacks, bottled water, and calculators, helping students find the materials they require in a matter of seconds.

Why use a backpack?

Backpacks allow kids to be comfortable and hands-free. They don't exert too much strain on the body and they can be easily carried for hours without getting tired. A backpack that fits comfortably will cause less pressure to the spine and shoulders and will help the kid use better posture while wearing the backpack.

Normal bags are often worse in terms of how strenuous bags can be than backpacks. This is because of how typically it hung only on one side of our body, exerting stress on the muscles to achieve balance.

How to use a backpack

A heavy weight carried in backpacks can deform the bag's natural beauty and the curves in the middle and lower backs, this will cause muscle strain and irritation to the spine joints and the rib cage, which can cause a kid to lean forward, reducing balance and making it easier to fall.

It can also lead to kids developing back pains and straining their shoulders and neck. If they should use the backpack improperly, it can also lead to bad posture. Also, backpacks that have tight, narrow straps can dig into the shoulders of kids and can cause tingling, numbness, and weakness in the arms and hands.

According to a Doctor’s guidelines; children could carry between 15 to 20% of their body weight. If your kid is 80 pounds, then that kid could carry a pack-weight the weight of 12 pounds plus the weight of the backpack.

“Too much weight on the back and shoulders can cause pain.” If your kid isn’t into roller backpacks, find a size-appropriate backpack that is not oversized that will offer more support. Choose your backpack wisely.

Safety- a backpack enables kids to carry their belongings safely. Most backpacks are waterproof, lightweight, and bendable and they provide maximum protection for the products inside them. Having a backpack is automatically some security against thieves, this means that your belongings are always kept at hand reach to you, making it very hard for thieves to steal.

Backpacks are more preferable for kids to shoulder bags for carrying books; that's because the weight of the pack is evenly spread out across their body. The strongest muscles in the body are at the back and the abdominal muscles support the pack.

10 THINGS EVERY KID SHOULD HAVE IN THEIR BACKPACK

1. Small refillable water bottle: this is an easy way for kids to get more water while at school and prevent dehydration
2. A healthy snack piece: always keep a non-perishable snack piece in case hunger strikes.
3. Laminated personal information card: this is critical in case of emergency or if your child gets lost, getting it laminated will keep it safe from spills. The card should have the following vital information about your child: - Full name- Home address- Emergency phone number- Chronic diseases (like asthma, diabetes, etc.) - Medication they take, and any allergies.
4. Hand sanitizer: It’s no new thing neither is it a secret that school is filled with germs and that during this Pandemic period the government encourage the use of same. Keeping a bottle of hand sanitizer in your child’s backpack is essential, encourage them to use it before eating lunch.
5. Tiny first-aid kit: keep this in case of an accident, but it doesn’t need to be fancy. It can contain things like medication, a couple of bandages, and a couple of packets of antibiotic ointment.
6. Sunscreen: To protect their eyes, always keep sunscreen in your child's backpack.
7. School materials: pencils, erasers, sharpeners, rulers, calculators.

Others are:

8. Electronics and chargers
9. Emergency phone list
10. Cash

    How to choose a backpack

When selecting a backpack, look for:

• An appropriate size: An ideal backpack for your kid should not be wider than his or her chest or hang more than 4 inches below the waist.

• Padded, adjustable shoulder straps: The adjustable shoulder straps are very important in choosing a backpack for your kid and they should have a lush padded material for comfort and protection. The adjustable shoulder strap can be used to help distribute the weight on your kid’s back without digging into their shoulders. Padded back to protect against contents inside the backpack poking into your child’s back

• Waist and chest straps: this is to help distribute the weight of the backpack more evenly across your child’s back

• Multiple compartments: this is to help position the weight more effectively

Teach your kid to use the backpack correctly.

How to use the backpack

• Check the fit of the backpack: always be sure your kid uses both straps when carrying the backpack; using only one strap to shift the weight to one side can cause muscle pain and posture problems
• Make sure the shoulder straps are always tightened so the backpack is fitted to your child’s back; a dangling backpack can cause spinal misalignment and pain
• Encourage them to use the chest, waist, and compression straps, and to adjust the same to the load.

How to take care of the backpack

• Pack smartly: a spacious backpack may seem like a good idea, but the more space there is to fill, the more likely your kid will fill it. Help your child to understand that it is absolutely what is necessary to carry he can put in his backpack. If it's not essential and useful, have them leave it at home, in their locker, or the classroom.
• Teach your child, the heaviest items are loaded first in the backpacks or closest to the bottom and the center of the back of the backpack and to always use multiple compartments to distribute the load.

How to maintain your backpack properly

• Pack it right. Never overload your backpack. The material of the backpack will be damaged and it will also loosen the stitching
• Treat the backpack in a proper manner
• Do not over-clean the backpack or soak in water
• Do not handle the backpack by carrying its shoulder straps
• Do not force the zippers, handle them with care.

How to clean the backpack

If the bag can be machine-washed, turn it inside out first so that the zippers and straps will not be loosened. Wash with a little detergent, keep the detergent very mild and also use lukewarm water.

If the bag should be hand-washed, use lukewarm water and a gentle brush.

Wash the backpack once or twice a year as frequent washing can be damaging to the backpack if not properly handled.

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