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Backpack safety tips

Is your school backpack heavy? Try these tips to lighten (and balance) the load.

Pack for your back

Take out anything you can store in your locker or leave at home.

Distribute the weight of your pack evenly by putting both arms through the straps.

Have chest straps? Clip them together across your sternum.

Tighten the straps to keep the pack close to your back.

Put heavy items in the bottom of the backpack.

Try to keep the bottom of the backpack at or above your waistline.

Shopping for a backpack? Look for one that has wide shoulder straps and plenty of pockets and compartments. These features help you bear the weight of your school gear.

Sources

American Academy of Pediatrics. "Backpack Safety." https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Backpack-Safety.aspx.
National Safety Council. "Backpack Safety: It's Time to Lighten the Load." https://www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/child-safety/backpack-safety-for-kids.

Reviewed 6/11/2025