School textbooks are intended to be studied hard, and not carried around in backpack to become an excessive load on the shoulders and back of children and teenagers.
This simple truth may be apparent to all - parents, school teachers, book publishers - but the problem is nonetheless a recurring one putting many children at risk of back pain and muscle injury in their daily commute to school.
The Consumer Council has long been concerned about the problem and an advocate of safety in the use of school bags.
With the start of a new school year drawing closer, the Council has issued this timely reminder focusing on the choice and proper use of the right backpack, and the measures that schools can take to help alleviate the problem of over-weight school bags.
As a precautionary measure, the Department of Health has recommended that school children should avoid carrying school bags which exceed 15% of their body weight for long periods of time. This means, for example, a child of 30 kg (or 66 lb) should carry a bag of not more than 4.5 kg (9.9 lb).
To reduce the weight of school bags, schools should adopt appropriate measures and strengthen home-school cooperation to foster the habit of packing school bags everyday.
For examples, provide storage facilities, teachers are advised to give clear instructions on what books to bring for the next lesson, and demonstrate to students the correct manner and posture in carrying school bags.
On the choice of the right backpack, consumers are advised to take note of the following:
- It should be of the right size. And the two wide and padded shoulder straps should fit comfortably and not dig into the shoulders.
- Padded back will better protect the back against sharp edges of objects inside the pack and increase comfort.
- A waist strap can distribute the weight of a heavy load more evenly.
- The backpack should be made of lightweight materials with storage compartments to enable better storage and the ability to balance the weight of contents throughout the pack.
On the proper use of backpack, consumers should pay heed to the following:
- Always use both shoulder straps to carry as it helps distribute the weight of the pack evenly.
- Tighten/adjust the straps so that the pack is close to the body. And use waist strap, it helps transfer the load to the hips.
- Pack heavier items closest to the centre of the back. And pack light, take out unnecessary materials from the bag.
- Organise the backpack and use all compartments.
- Use school lockers to store items which are not required.
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