The Rolling Backpack - Is it Right for Your Child?

A rolling backpack may be the solution to a situation that is rapidly becoming a problem for children's health and safety. A kids rolling backpack might help keep your youngster out of the doctor's office - today and 20 years from now. Believe it or not that backpack your child is lugging around could send him to the emergency room. The Consumer Products Safety Commission reported that during 2002 approximately 6,000 children were treated in emergency rooms for injuries diagnosed as being related to heavy back packs. The American Orthopedic Association suggests that kids should limit the weight of their backpacks to 15% of their body weight in order to prevent injuries.

Backpacks on Wheels to the Rescue!

Fortunately there is a solution. Children can now carry all their earthly goods in a rolling bag that pulls along behind rather than being carried on their back. Here are some things to think about if you are considering acquiring this new style of backpack:

• Check out the school rules and make sure that there is not a ban on rolling bags. Some schools have outlawed them as a tripping hazard so make sure before you buy.
• Check the load rating which the back pack is certified to carry. Older students carry more and heavier stuff so the older your child the heavier their pack is likely to be.
• Pay attention to style. Your child is probably going to be very concerned with how the backpack looks so be sure to include them in this decision.
• Make sure the ergonomics are in place. The handle should be long enough to pull the pack from an upright position and the straps should be wide and padded because there will still be times your child will pick the pack up. If worn on the back the backpack should rest about two inches above the waist.
• Consider the route. Although they put less strain on the body, backpacks on wheels are not as maneuverable as the traditional kind. Aisles of school buses, a route that meanders through a vacant uneven field or a climate with lots of snow are all things that might hamper the use of the latest in backpack design.

A rolling back pack can significantly improve the strain on your child's back if chosen with care. There are a variety of excellent bags available online in prices and designs you and your child will both love.