How Back Packs affect children’s health

Ulomka — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 07:32:10 +0000

Picture Credit: @safekidsnigeria on Twitter

Children have to carry backpacks to school. If proper measures aren’t put in place, we have cases of injuries arising from these heavy backpacks. Children carry these backpacks twice a day and five days a week. If they do not have a means of transportation, that means they spend a longer time carrying those heavy bags.

This affects their posture so instead of standing up right, there is a forward head posture. This makes their necks extended for long periods leading to neck and shoulder pain. This posture change leads to pain in the lower back because the body is trying to compensate. The knee also because of change in the walking pattern.

According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, a student’s back pack should not weigh more than 15 percent of his body weight. A 100-pound student’s book bag should not weigh more than 15 pounds.

When choosing backpacks we should:
Choose bags that are made of lighter material

Choose backpacks with both straps. Children should be encouraged to strap backpacks on both shoulders not on just one shoulder. A heavy backpack worn over one shoulder might cause your child to lean to one side, causing their spine to curve and causing them pain.The straps should be tightened so that the pack is worn high on the back, not hanging low, covering the waist.

Picture Credit: http://www.scoliosishope.com/blog

Choose moderately sized backpacks. The length should be the torso of the child not oversized or undersized

Choose back packs with different compartments. Content of bags should be distributed across all compartments so that weight is evenly distributed

Finally, as much as possible children shouldn’t carry heavy backpacks daily. t is recommended that children carry no more than 10% of their body weight in the backpack. Books not in immediate use can be kept in school lockers or at home.

School Bus Trackers: Yay or Nay?

Ulomka — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 00:54:27 +0000

Where are the kids?

Is the school bus driver following designated routes?

Is he complying with necessary safety rules?

What is the location of the school bus?

It’s another back to school season and with it worries from both parents and school owners. It’s time to allay your fears with our GPS fleet tracking for the school bus. With current security challenges in the country, school owners need to maximise this opportunity and parents need to encourage school authorities to take advantage of this security feature.

What if you had a device that could:

Pinpoint exact location of your kids
Know where they are after school
Alert you if your kid is in trouble

Awesome right? Locator devices are an easy way to to ensure safety and security of your children. With your IOS or Android phones, you can access their exact location. There are trends such as ID cards, vehicle trackers, wristwatches for children and senior citizens.

What do you stand to gain?

Child safety: Real time location information on the children and this could also help as attendance logs
Peace of mind: Putting kids on the school bus could be a source of worry to parents. However, with these tracking devices, parents can now monitor the arrival and departure of the bus. This way they feel carried along and anxiety is reduced.
Ability to listen in: In the case of an emergency, the device can be called remotely and you can listen in to what is going on around the child.
Fuel cost reduction: It is easier to track routes and fuel costs. It leads to better management of inefficient routes and over-speeding issues.
Effective fleet scheduling and records of past movement of up to one month or more

What are you still waiting for? Let’s help you keep your children and students safe. Contact us today hello@thesafetychic.com

Image credit: Google Images

children – The Safety Chic

How Back Packs affect children’s health

School Bus Trackers: Yay or Nay?