One of the most anticipated back-to-school shopping items on every student’s list is the backpack.

The wide range of colors and cartoon characters available can often make kids excited to put them on and head to the classroom.

Remember the excitement of getting ready to show off your new backpack on the first day of school? Backpacks are often stuffed full of binders, pencils, crayons, and any other school supply kids can think of.

But believe it or not, carrying a backpack can lead to common injuries.

Backpacks are designed to distribute weight evenly without strain to the neck, shoulder, or back muscles, but they need to be used properly.

So, how can you make sure your child gets all their supplies to and from class, but does it safely?

According to SafeKids Worldwide, a child should not carry more than 15 percent of their body weight in a backpack. As prepared as some students like to be, encourage them to bring only the necessary books and materials home each night.

Since some schools allow backpacks to be carried during the day, talk with your child about leaving items in their locker that they don’t need in class.

You can also encourage backpack safety by playing off of the excitement of getting the new accessory. Make sure your child tries on the backpack, keeps the straps on both shoulders and uses the waist strap. Parents, you’ll want to adjust those straps so they fit snugly. It’s not about how it looks, it’s about how the backpack fits.

While your child is wearing the backpack, make sure they understand to distribute the weight properly. They’ll want to put the heaviest items near the bottom of the backpack, which is near the center of their back.

Following these safety tips can avoid common injuries like muscle strain in the neck, shoulders, and back. A child could also experience numbness or tingling if the straps are too thin, or they are hauling too much weight.

You’d think backpack safety ends there, but it doesn’t.

There is one more important precaution when taking the backpack off, which doesn’t only protect your kids, it protects adults too.

Tripping over a backpack because it’s bulky or laying on the floor is a hazard, so make sure your child keeps it under their desk, in their locker, or in a safe place at home when it’s not in use.

A little extra care and attention to building good backpack habits can go a long way toward getting the school year off to a strong, healthy start!

For more safety tips from the WVU Medicine Children’s Injury Prevention and Safty Program, click here.