Idaho State University OT students to provide safety tips for kids carrying backpacks at weigh-in Sept. 22-23

The Idaho State University Student Occupational Therapy Association will hold its annual backpack weigh-in on Sept. 22-23 at the ISU Rendezvous Complex on campus.

The weigh-in, held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day, is designed to help parents and students avoid injury and fatigue from backpacks that are overloaded or worn improperly. Students of all ages can be at risk.

September is National Backpack Month, in honor of students heading back to school each fall.

Tips for loading and wearing backpacks include:

       • Backpacks should weigh no more than 15 percent of body weight (15-pound pack on a 100-pound person)   

       • Load heaviest items closest to the persons back 

       • Wear both shoulder straps for an evenly balanced load

       • Adjust shoulder and waist straps to distribute the burden more evenly along the person's back  

       • Parents of school children may suggest that teachers consider the total weight of each day's assigned class work – not only in content, but in terms of textbook weight.

For more information, contact Bryan Gee at 282-3629 or GeeBrya@isu.edu.