Fontbonne Students Receive Backpack Safety Tips

Over 79 million students in the U.S. carry backpacks on a daily basis and as of 2007, 23,000 of those students sustained injuries related to bags that are too heavy or worn incorrectly.

 Therese Robinson, a physical therapist at Milton Hospital, visited students at Fontbonne Academy on Wednesday, September 15, for National School Backpack Awareness Day, to inform students of the facts and dangers.

The awareness day was created five years ago to disperse information about the issues. Fontbonne was a fitting location as Robinson explained that while women have smaller frames than men, they often carry more books.

Robinson has worked as a physical therapist for 30 years and said she has seen an increase in middle school and high school patients with back problems.

"Studies have shown the books are heavier and your carrying more," Robinson told the students.

Robinson explained that students shouldn't carry more than 15 percent of their body weight in their bag. She said more than 55 percent of students ignore that recommendation.

During the presentation, Keri McPhillips, Wellness Center supervisor, weighed a few of the students' backpacks. They ranged in size between 24 and 16 pounds, likely close or over the recommended weight.

When purchasing a backpack, Robinson suggested a pack with two padded, contour straps. The backpack should fit snuggly with the bottom of the bag resting on the wearer's lower back.

For more information about backpack safety, call the Milton Hospital Rehabilitation Services Department at 617-313-1143.