When you send your child out the door for school, have you ever considered that you're sending them with too much on their back? A heavy backpack or one that is worn incorrectly can cause chronic neck, back, and shoulder pain. Choosing the right school backpacks for kids can be a little more difficult than you'd like to think, so read these helpful tips before purchasing one.

What to look for in a backpack to prevent back injuries:

• Straps: Select a backpack with well-padded shoulder straps to help protect the shoulders and neck. These straps should be adjusted so the pack fits snugly against your child’s back. A pack hanging loosely from the back can pull a child backward and strain muscles.
• Size: Select a smaller backpack for your younger child. The backpack itself should be lightweight.
• Belt: Consider a pack with a waist belt to help distribute the weight of the pack evenly.
• Wheels: Consider buying a pack on wheels, similar to the carry-on luggage used by airplane travelers.

How to wear it correctly:

Did you know that about 40 million kids take a backpack to school in the U.S. and the average student carries too much weight. Teach your child the right way to wear their backpack by telling them they should never wear it on one shoulder but rather on both and snugly against their back. The backpack shouldn’t hang more than a few inches below the child’s waist. If the pack has a waist strap, the strap should be fastened firmly across the child’s bellybutton.