(HealthDayNews) -- If back-to-school preparations include new backpacks for your kids, the American Academy of Pediatrics offers these guidelines:
- Select smaller packs for smaller children.
- Look for brands that have wide, heavily padded shoulder straps. The straps should be fastened so the pack hugs the center of the back.
- Consider a wheeled backpack, if possible.
Once you've chosen a suitable backpack, teach your kids how to use it properly. They should:
- Always carry the minimum load, and pack heavier items first, so those items are closest to the children's backs.
- Wear both straps so the weight is evenly divided.
- When picking up a pack, bend with both knees and lift with the legs.