Security lapses on May 28, 2008 at Ayala Center Makati; about Maurice Arcache ; backpacks for kids

security lapses at Ayala Center, Makati
on May 28, 2008

On May 28, 2008, security guard, identified as Pasaqumat, at entrance (near National Book Store) to Park Square 1, didn't inspect my trolley luggage, which was large enough to contain bomb elements. Then, on said date, security guard, at street entrance near Park Square 1, to Glorietta 1, didn't inspect said trolley luggage, which was large enough to contain bomb elements. The guard, at the second level entrance to National Book store at Glorietta, didn't inspect said luggage, which was large enough to contain bomb elements. The guard at the second level entrance to SM Makati, from Glorietta, didn't inspect said trolley luggage, which was large enough to contain bomb elements. Said guard was identified as Pedrajas. The guards, at entrances to SM Supermarket and SM Department store at SM Makati, on said date, didn't inspect said trolley luggage, which was large enough to contain bomb elements.

advisory re Maurice Arcache:
He was identified as the source of the following allegations which were published on May 27, 2008 in the May 27, 2998 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper.
(1) "Pond's CLA4 Complex . . . visibly reduces fine lines, wrinkles and age spots in just seven days"; (2) "I've noticed that most of the newly built homes or remodeled ones are all using Bticino switches and socket lines." What proof, if any, does said Arcache have, to support his claim that most of the newly built homes or remodeled homes are all using said brand of switches and socket lines? I challenge said Arcache to cause to be published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer (1) certification from a reputable, unbiased, independent entity that said Arcache actually witnessed the alleged visible reduction, by said product, of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots in seven days. (2) the complete addresses of all the newly built homes and remodeled homes, if any, that he allegedly visited; (3) certification, from an independent, unbiased entity, that said Arcache actually visited most of the newly built homes or remodeled homes. (3) a complete list and addresses of all the newly built homes or remodeled ones that are allegedly using Ticino switches and socket lines.

web sites with free useful info
U.S. Transportation Security Administration
http://www.tsa.gov/

* For Travelers
* 3-1-1 for Carry-Ons
* Customer Service
* Air Travel
* Highways
* Maritime
* Mass Transit
* Railroads


What To Know Before You Go

Permitted and Prohibited Items

* What Can I Bring?
* Body Piercings
* Makeup, Medication, Personal Items & Special Needs Devices
* Electronic Devices
* Sharp Objects
* Sporting Goods
* Guns & Firearms
* Tools
* Martial Arts & Self Defense Items
* Explosive & Flammable Materials, Disabling Chemicals & Other Dangerous Items
* Food & Drinks
Other Items
Item Carry-on Checked
Gel-type candles No Yes
Gel shoe inserts - Gel shoe inserts are not permitted, but shoes constructed with gel heels are allowed and must be removed and screened. Read more on our shoe screening policy. No Yes
Non-flammable liquid, gel, or aerosol paint Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container Yes
Flammable liquid, gel, or aerosol paint No No
Snow globes and like decorations regardless of size or amount of liquid inside, even with documentation.


coralreefalliance org
http://www.coralreefalliance.org/

digicamreview
http://www.digicamreview.com/

Lumix FX35 reviews
http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/

photography review
http://reviews.photographyreview.com/

The following web sites had free information about the alleged harmful effects of sun blockers on coral reefs:

www.news.com.au/


www.cosmeticsdesign.com/

http://www.physorg.com/news130762664.html

ubs.acs.org/subscribe/

ecosystem-preservation.suite101.com/

http://www.coralreefalliance.org/

http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/sunscreens-are-killing-coral-reefs/
Sunscreens are Killing Coral Reefs!


When it comes to sunscreen, it seems that it’s your health or the coral reefs’. A new study finds that sunscreen ingredients are killing coral reefs:

Four commonly found sunscreen ingredients can awaken dormant viruses in the symbiotic algae called zooxanthellae that live inside reef-building coral species.

The chemicals cause the viruses to replicate until their algae hosts explode, spilling viruses into the surrounding seawater, where they can infect neighboring coral communities.

Zooxanthellae provide coral with food energy through photosynthesis and contribute to the organisms’ vibrant color. Without them, the coral "bleaches"—turns white—and dies.

"The algae that live in the coral tissue and feed these animals explode or are just released by the tissue, thus leaving naked the skeleton of the coral," said study leader Roberto Danovaro of the Polytechnic University of Marche in Italy.

The researchers estimate that 4,000 to 6,000 metric tons of sunscreen wash off swimmers annually in oceans worldwide, and that up to 10 percent of coral reefs are threatened by sunscreen-induced bleaching.


The following web sites had free information about backpacks for kids:


http://209.85.175.104/search?q=cache:6ZDo20jHss8J:cehd.umn.edu/kls/ecee/pdfs/BackpacksMakgChldrnBeastsofBurden_Jacobs.pdf+backpacks+for+kids&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=98
The following is the html version of the file http://cehd.umn.edu/kls/ecee/pdfs/BackpacksMakgChldrnBeastsofBurden_Jacobs.pdf.
To link to this page, use the following url: http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:6ZDo20jHss8J:cehd.umn.edu/kls/ecee/pdfs/BackpacksMakgChldrnBeastsofBurden_Jacobs.pdf+backpacks+for+kids&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=98
The Proceeding of the XVI Annual International Occupational Ergonomics and Safety Conference '2002
This is the html version of the file http://cehd.umn.edu/kls/ecee/pdfs/BackpacksMakgChldrnBeastsofBurden_Jacobs.pdf.

Page 1
The Proceeding of the XVI Annual International Occupational Ergonomics and Safety Conference '2002
1
Are Backpacks Making Our Children Beasts of Burden?
Karen Jacobs
Boston University Department of Occupational Therapy 635 Commonwealth Ave.
Boston, MA 02215 (617) 353-7516 FAX (617) 353-2926 kjacobs@bu.edu
Abstract: More than 40 million US students carry school backpacks. Increasingly heavy
school backpacks are putting the nation’s students at risk and may be causing long-term damage to their growing bodies. Occupational therapy practitioners work with children and can advise parents on ways to avoid backpack-related problems.Both organizations’ Web sites and a brochure available at L.L. Bean, retail outlets, offer tips for parents and children on choosing the correct backpack design, loading, and wearing backpacks.

In the U.S., it is estimated that more than 40 million youths carry their school materials in backpacks (Wang, Pascoe, Weimar, 2001). Everyday these youths carry backpacks filled with books, bottles of water, laptop computers, and other items that create a strain on their growing bodies. In 1999,the use of backpacks resulted in more than 6,000 injuries in the U.S. alone (Pascoe, Pascoe, Wang,Shim, 1997; Hamilton, 2001). Approximately 23% of elementary youths and about 33% of secondary
school youths complain of backaches (Roth, 2001). Despite recent media coverage and concerns of health professional, such as occupational therapy practitioners, regarding heavy backpack use by children, there is a paucity of research on its effects.

Three important factors in school backpack use: selecting a pack,loading a pack, and wearing a pack.

Selecting a pack
Choose a pack that's appropriate to the child's size and age. School backpacks come in different sizes for different ages. Select a pack with well-padded shoulder straps. The shoulders and neck are rich in blood vessels and nerves that when constricted can cause pain and tingling in the neck, arms, and hands. Choose a pack with a waist belt to be fastened for extra support and to help transfer the weight from the shoulders to the body's trunk and hips.Consider a pack with reflective trim to increase visibility of kids who carry the school backpack in the evening.When shopping for a school backpack, take along books and other materials that the child would carry to judge how each pack varies when fully loaded.

Loading a pack
Never allow a child to carry more than 15% of his or her body weight. That means a child who weighs 100 pounds should not carry a school backpack that weighs more than 15 pounds. Load heaviest items closest to the child's back. Pack items neatly and organized to keep books and materials from sliding around in the pack, shifting the weight. If a pack is too heavy, consider using one on wheels.

Wearing a pack:
Always wear both shoulder straps to distribute weight evenly. Wearing a pack slung over one shoulder can cause a person to lean to one side and curve the spine.
Adjust the shoulder straps so that the pack fits snugly to the child's back. A pack that hangs loosely from the back can pull the child backwards and strain muscles between the shoulders. The bottom of the pack should rest in the curve of the lower back. It should never rest more than four inches below the child's waistline.


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http://209.85.175.104/search?q=cache:SPiSPYlYA-AJ:www.montclair.edu/detectives/curriculum/docs/4.4arts1.doc+backpacks+for+kids&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=121
This following is the html version of the file http://www.montclair.edu/detectives/curriculum/docs/4.4arts1.doc.

Adapted from “Heavy Backpacks Harmful to Students, Simmons Study Says,” Boston Globe, February 13, 2001, by Scott Greenberger.
Heavy Backpacks Harmful to Students, Simmons Study Says


Though most students are used to the burden, a new study suggests many are doing themselves harm.

Fifty-five percent of the Massachusetts children surveyed by researchers at Simmons College typically carry loads heavier than 15 percent of their body weight - the limit recommended by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.

Though the researchers couldn't definitively draw a connection, one-third of the 345 children in grades 5 through 8 surveyed reported back pain that forced them to see a doctor, miss school, or skip athletic activities.

The students, who were recruited through Healthnet, a statewide Internet health education program, weighed themselves and their backpacks under the supervision of teachers.

"If your head is kind of like a turtle in a forward position, that will cause pain and make you more vulnerable to injury," said Shelley Goodgold, associate professor of physical therapy at Simmons. "We know that putting the backpack on will make you more vulnerable."

Though a heavy backpack isn't healthy for anyone, children are particularly susceptible to injury because their bodies are still developing, Goodgold said.

Ninety-four percent of the students in the -study carried standard two-strap backpacks, and most said they used both straps. But only 4 percent used the hip belt recommended by health professionals. Packs designed to give better support, such as those with metal frames, weren't popular among the middle school students.

The Simmons study comes amid growing concern about heavy packs. In Melrose, school officials sent a letter to parents warning them about heavy backpack burdens. Northeastern University researchers have tapped Beverly High School students for their study on backpack back pain. And the US Consumer Product Safety Commission has reported that in 1999, more than 800 youngsters were treated in emergency rooms for backpack-related injuries.


"They shouldn't make us take all this stuff around," said 11-year-old Sean White, who looked like he might be swallowed up by his black backpack as he stood outside

Richard J. Murphy School in Dorchester. “When I go to sleep sometimes, my back hurts." But a heavy backpack isn't all bad, according to White. He said it comes in handy when he has to swing the pack at his 13-year-old sister.



Adapted from “Backpack May Spell Backache,” Current Health, September 2000, by Tamra Orr.

Backpack May Spell Backache

It hangs around with you almost every day. It manages to handle whatever you throw into it. It's cool. It's convenient. It's your backpack!

But guess what? The facts are in: Backpacks can be dangerous! Yep, that handy backpack just might be your own personal ticket to lots of back problems in the future.

"We are seeing students in the fourth and fifth grades who are complaining about backaches, fatigue, and (physical) stress," says Russell Windsor, M.D., a surgeon at New York City's Hospital for Special Surgery. Dr. Windsor is an expert in orthopedics (or-tho-PEED-ix; having to do with the prevention or correction of skeletal deformities).

What causes the complaints Dr. Windsor hears from kids? Backpacks that don't fit properly, backpacks that weigh far too much for kids to be carrying safely, and backpacks that are worn with the weight unevenly distributed.

How much are kids carrying on their backs? Many of them are carrying more than 25 percent of their overall body weight, and that is just too much. Experts like Dr. Seymour Zimbler - Associate in Orthopedic Surgery at the Children's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts - recommend that you carry no more than 15 percent of your total body weight, and preferably less than that. What does all that mean? If you weigh 80 pounds, your backpack should not weigh more than 12 pounds. If you weigh 100 pounds, your backpack should tip the scales at less than 15 pounds. Any more than this will cause a lot of wear and tear on the muscles, joints, and ligaments of your shoulders, neck, and spine. That can mean pain today and real back problems in the future.

"If you have a 90-pound female carrying a 20-pound backpack, then the backpack weight becomes a medical issue," says Dr. Charlotte Alexander, an orthopedic surgeon in Houston. "We found one 10th grade female student with a backpack weighing 47 pounds!"

How much does your backpack weigh? Bring out the bathroom scale and find out. Put all the books you usually carry in it and then put it on the scale. Is it less than 15 percent of your weight? If you're like most kids, the answer is no.



Adapted from “Overstuffed Backpacks Are Giving Children Adult-Like Back Pain,” The Wall Street Journal, April 6, 2002, by Tara Parker-Pope.

Overstuffed Backpacks Are Giving Children Adult-Like Back Pain

THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY is weighing in on the debate about the amount of homework students are asked to do. The diagnosis: The problem isn't how much homework kids have, but how much they are carrying.

Doctors say they are seeing a growing number of children suffering serious back pain as the result of carrying around overloaded backpacks. Because children's spines are still growing, many fear the heavy packs and tilted gait they cause could lead to long-term back problems.

Injuries associated with backpacks have more than doubled during the past five years. More than 6,000 children are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year for injuries related to lugging heavy backpacks-and most are under 14 years of age.

The phenomenon even prompted the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations to declare April National Backpack Safety month.

A study by Akron General Medical Center weighed the backpacks of more than 400 fourth and fifth graders. The average pack weighed about 14 pounds. More significantly, the fourth graders were carrying about 15% of their body weight, while the fifth graders were carrying, on average, 17%.

MANY KIDS, however, carried far heavier bags. The study found that nearly a quarter of the children carried a backpack weighing more than 20% of their body weight. The equivalent would be a 180-pound man carrying nearly 40 pounds on his back, several times a day, five days a week.

"This is too much weight for kids to be carrying around," says Heidi Frasure, hospital research coordinator and one of the study's authors.

The trend is particularly troubling because children are now complaining of aches and pains that 'historically haven't shown up until people hit their 30s or 40s.

"Unfortunately children are carrying backpacks that are 25, 30 and 40% of their body weight," says New York City chiropractor John Vilkelis. "As the backpack gets heavier, they alter their posture more, they lean forward to support the weight, and it can cause all kinds of different injuries to their back and neck."

Andrew B. Marsh, physical therapist at the University of Michigan spine program, says he has seen kids as young as five or six complaining of back pain.


The problem, he says, is one of repetitive strain. Overloaded backpacks are carried by kids on their way to the bus stop, from the bus to the school, between classes, and on the way home – every day, five days a week.



Adapted from “School Backpacks Can Be Painful Burden,” Health Scout News, September 17, 2001, by Nancy A. Melville.

School Backpacks Can Be Painful Burden

Homework can place a heavy burden on kids in more ways than one. Experts warn that the load can be more than just a pain in the neck if proper backpack usage isn't followed. Injuries related to backpacks, in fact, accounted for more than 13,260 visits to hospital emergency rooms, doctors' offices and clinics last year, according to estimates and projections of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Although backpacks are still a highly recommended way of carrying books around, the improper use of them may defeat their purpose, explains Dr. Angela D. Smith, an orthopedic surgeon at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The problem is that many children using backpacks these days either don't use backpacks that meet the recommended parameters or don't use them appropriately, Smith says.

Among the most important recommended features are that backpacks have padded straps and a waist or hip belt. These devices prevent strain on the shoulders and help stabilize the pack in place. Straps are helpful to cinch in books that would otherwise sag out the back.

But just as important, Smith adds, is how books are placed inside the pack. If books are placed flat, or fall flat, as opposed to being upright, that's when problems with back strain can occur. But with the load positioned lengthwise and extending away from the body, your position must be altered or aches and pains can result, adds Dr. David L. Skaggs, an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at Children's Hospital, Los Angeles.

"The further backwards you have the weight, the more it pulls you backward, so as a result you have to lean forward," he says. "The important thing is to have the heaviest stuff right against your back to keep the center of gravity above your pelvis," he adds.

Another problematic book-carrying practice is carrying a pack or bag on just one shoulder, says Skaggs. "If books are being carried with only one strap, it's an asymmetrical load that's placed on the back. And we know from long-term studies that asymmetry and leaning to one side is probably linked to back pain." Muscle strain is the main problem, explains Smith. You'll get some pain in your back and the body's response to the pain is to shut off the muscles or make them spasm. Then the muscles weaken because they've been in pain and now they can do even less work, so it becomes a downward spiral. Smith encourages building strength in abdominal and back muscles through exercises like stomach crunches, because simply being physically fit may not help alleviate backpack pain problems. Skaggs adds, however, that the daily chore of carrying the backpack around itself is often enough to build up the proper muscles. "The best exercise is probably just doing it," he says.

Even proper positioning can be undermined if a backpack is simply overloaded, however, the experts say. But proper weight limits can differ with each individual, Smith notes. "I steer away from making any recommendations in terms of how much weight should be carried because what works for one person may be completely different for another," she says. "My recommendations to kids are simply the same things I learned growing up about camping, and it's the same thing the Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts will tell you: Pack everything you need and then take away half of it," she adds.



Adapted from “Backpack as a Daily Load for School Children,” The Lancet, December 4, 1999, by Stefano Negrini, Roberta Carabalona, and Paolo Sibilla

Backpack as a Daily Load for School Children

34.8% of Italian schoolchildren carry more than 30% of their bodyweight at least once a week, exceeding limits proposed for adults. Given increasing evidence of back pain in children, the time has come to propose some limitations to backpack load.

Repetitive loading of the spine is a risk factor for low back pain not only in adults but also for children. The load that children most commonly carry is their school bag or backpack. Most studies of this issue have been published in non-indexed journals and have various limitations. Nevertheless, some results suggest that the backpack could be a factor contributing to low back pain in schoolchildren with sufferers carrying backpacks for more time and experiencing greater fatigue and difficulty. We aimed to quantify the absolute and bodyweight-related backpack load carried daily by schoolchildren.

We studied children in the school catchment area of Bresso, Milan. We ascertained the weight of the backpacks of all the year 6 children at school (n = 237, average age 11.6 years, 119 girls). The data were collected daily on 6 days at school (from Monday to Saturday) over a period of 3 weeks. The days included were not shown to the children or to teachers. The average load and the maximum load of the backpacks was calculated for each child, for the week, and the average of these measurements calculated for the total population.

Sixty-one girls attended our institute for further assessment after their parents gave informed consent; they were assessed by a single specialist in pediatric orthopedic rehabilitation with medical scales.

The average load carried daily by schoolchildren was 9.3 kg, and the maximum load was 11.5 kg. The average load was 22% of bodyweight and the maximum load was 27.5% of bodyweight; 34.8% of the pupils carried more than 30% of their bodyweight at least once during the week.

The average load and maximum load being carried by children are equivalent to an 80 kg man carrying daily a backpack with an average load of 17.6 kg and a maximum load of 22.0 kg (or for a 60 kg woman, 13.2 kg and a 16.5 kg, respectively). In Italy, labor laws restrict the maximum load that can be lifted during work to 30 kg in men and 20 kg in women. The limits are 20kg and 15 kg for workers aged 15-18 years. The USA recommended limit for adults is 23 kg, which is deemed to protect 99% of men and 75-90% of women. No limits have been developed for application in schools; the limits usually proposed for children, although scientifically unproven, (10-15% of bodyweight) are widely exceeded in everyday life.



Rates of low back pain in children are approaching those seen in adults. Although the economic importance of the problem is small at this age, the lack of certified limits for backpack carrying is shortsighted. Previous studies have shown that the backpack load contributes to low back pain in childhood, and our results suggest that a decrease in this load is advisable.
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http://209.85.175.104/search?q=cache:CqILcUBh1aEJ:www.csmc.edu/pdf/CSISD-BackpackSafetyPR-2004.pdf+backpacks+for+kids&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=125
The following is the html version of the file http://www.csmc.edu/pdf/CSISD-BackpackSafetyPR-2004.pdf.

Media Contact: Kelli Hanley
E-mail: kelli.hanley@cshs.org
Telephone: 1-310-423-3674
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 11, 2004
BACK TO SCHOOL SAFETY: AVOIDING BACKPACK INJURY
Tips for helping your kids to wear their backpacks safely
LOS ANGELES, August 11, 2004 – Despite parents’ best efforts to protect their children from getting hurt,one of the greatest sources of potential injury often gets overlooked even when it’s in plain sight: the backpack. Considered the most efficient way to carry books and other items that kids need for school, when it’s overstuffed, it may actually be causing the pain and fatigue that as many as 50 percent of kids today are experiencing. “Although there are a number of causes for back pain in school-age children, many kids are carrying backpacks that weigh more than 15 percent of their body weight,” said Avrom Gart, M.D., a Medical Director at the Cedars-Sinai Institute for Spinal Disorders. “Over time, children carrying this kind of weight
can develop serious back pain and other problems that can require treatment.” Compared to satchels or briefcases, backpacks are typically safer for kids because they distribute weight evenly across the body and are supported by the back and abdominal muscles. Furthermore, children and teens prefer them because they are fashionable, hold more items, and come with multiple compartments that help them to stay organized. But despite their usefulness, a major study reported by the American Physical Therapy Association has found that more than 50 percent of children surveyed carry backpacks heavier than 15 percent of their body weight.“To manage the load, children sometimes arch their backs or lean forward, causing them to develop poor
posture as they grow,” said Dr. Gart. “Children should carry no more than 15 percent of their body weight on their backs.” Wearing a backpack on one shoulder can also cause the child to lean to one side to compensate for the extra weight and can result in an asymmetrical spine, back pain, and a strained shoulder and neck. In severe cases, children can develop a condition called “scapular winging,” when the nerve that supplies the shoulder muscle becomes pinched, causing paralysis.“If you notice that one of your child’s shoulder blades is not moving or not symmetrical, a doctor should be consulted immediately,” said Dr. Gart.To help your child wear backpacks safely, Dr. Gart recommends the following: 1. Wear no more than 15 percent of your body weight. Work with your child to determine how much weight should be carried in his or her backpack. Weigh each item separately, so that your child can determine which items should be carried versus what can be left at home. 2. Keep backpack use limited to necessities only. See that your child cleans out his or her backpack
daily by removing any items that can be left at home or in a locker. 3. Use both straps. Make sure that the weight of your child’s backpack is evenly distributed across the back to promote good posture and to avoid shoulder strain and/or a pinched nerve. 4. Recognize signs that the backpack is too heavy. Pay attention to whether your child is slouched or leaning to one side when wearing a backpack or is experiencing any type of back pain, tingling or numbness in the shoulders or arms.
5. Select the proper backpack. Enhance comfort and safety by purchasing a backpack with multiple compartments, so that weight is more evenly distributed. Padded straps can also help to prevent straps from cutting into shoulders. Newer backpacks with wheels are also an option, provided that the handle extends long enough to allow children to stand upright while pulling it. The backpack and wheels must also be sturdy enough so that it does not topple over. 6. Pick up the backpack properly. Teach your child how to pick up his or her backpack by demonstrating how to bend at the knees and grasp the pack with both hands before putting it on. “Kids and parents alike need to remember that while backpacks are a great tool to carry and keep track of items children need for school, they must be used properly to avoid injuries,” commented Dr. Gart.
###
SOURCES: Avrom Gart, M.D., Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; American Physical Therapy Association (www.apta.org);

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http://fcs.tamu.edu/health/child_health/choosing_a_backpack.php
Choosing the Correct Backpack for Your Child

It‘s that time of year again—back-to-school time! Many parents and children prepare for that first day of school by doing some back-to- school shopping, which often involves buying new clothing, pens, pencils, paper, markers, etc. However, backpacks are one of the biggest necessities for both college-aged and younger students, and it‘s important to choose wisely.

There are so many backpacks to choose from, and choosing the right one for your child is not always easy. Backpacks come in all sizes, colors, fabrics, and shapes—all of which help kids express their own sense of style. As practical as backpacks are for those who use them, backpacks can cause strained muscles and joints and back pain when worn incorrectly.

The human spine is made up of 33 bones called vertebrae, and between the vertebrae are discs that act as shock absorbers. When something heavy—such as a backpack filled with books—is incorrectly placed on your child‘s shoulders, the force of that extra weight can pull your child backwards. To compensate, your child may bend forward at the hips or arch his or her back, which can cause your child‘s spine to compress unnaturally. Because of the heavy weight he or she is carrying, your child might begin to develop shoulder, neck, and back pain. What can we do about this? The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that before you purchase a backpack, look for the following five criteria:

* Choose a lightweight backpack that doesn‘t add a lot of weight to your child‘s load. For example, although leather backpacks look cool, they weigh more than traditional canvas backpacks.
* Choose a backpack with two wide, padded shoulder straps. Straps that are too narrow can dig into shoulders.
* Choose a backpack that has a padded back, which provides increased comfort and protects the wearer from being poked by sharp edges (such as pencils, rulers, notebooks, etc.) inside the backpack.
* Choose a backpack that has a waist belt, which helps distribute the weight more evenly across the body.
* Choose a backpack that has multiple compartments, which also helps distribute weight more evenly.

Although most backpacks come with two shoulder straps, this doesn‘t mean that your kids will use both straps! Many kids wear their backpacks over just one shoulder, which is the wrong thing to do. This makes the person lean to one side to offset the extra weight, and they might develop lower and upper back pain and strain their shoulders and neck. Wearing the backpack incorrectly can also lead to poor posture. So, make sure your children wear the backpack using both straps. It‘s also a good idea to tighten the straps enough for the backpack to fit close to the body, and it should sit 2 inches above the waist.

Girls and younger children may be especially at risk for backpack-related injuries because they‘re smaller and may carry loads that are heavier in proportion to their body weight. Doctors recommend that people—especially children—carry backpacks that are no more than 10–15 percent of their body weight. For example, if a child weighs 80 pounds, 15 percent of his or her body weight is 12 pounds. So, for an 80 pound child, the backpack and its contents should not weigh more than 12 pounds—but remember, lighter is always better.

Lifting and Positioning Backpacks

Children also need to know how to lift and position their backpack. Improper lifting can cause damage. Teach your children these four simple steps to safely lift their backpacks:

1. Face the backpack before you lift it.
2. Bend at the knees.
3. Using both hands, check the weight of the backpack.
4. Lift with your legs, not your back.
5. Carefully put one shoulder strap on at a time; never sling the backpack onto one shoulder.

Another Option

Another option to consider when purchasing backpacks is to look for a backpack on wheels. However, these types of backpacks may be less practical than traditional backpacks because they‘re difficult to pull up stairs. If you‘re thinking about purchasing a rolling backpack for your child, contact the child‘s school first to be sure that they are allowed. Many schools don‘t allow rolling backpacks because they pose a tripping hazard in the hallways.

By following these guidelines, your child will start off this school year with a healthy back!
Last updated: 8 April, 2008





http://www.essortment.com/family/kidsbackpackss_soip.htm

http://www.revolutionhealth.com/healthy-living/parenting/school-age-kids/school-learning/backpack-safety-children

http://childcare.about.com/cs/generaladvice/bb/backpack.htm

ww.webmd.com/parenting/features/kids-backpacks-101 - 100k -

http://www.spine-health.com/Conditions/Back-Pain/Backpacks/Backpacks-And-Back-Pain-In-Children.html

www.healthycomputing.com/kids/backpacks.html

http://www.uihealthcare.com/topics/medicaldepartments/orthopaedics/backpacks/index.html

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/babies-kids/school-age-kids/activities-sports/backpacks/backpacks-for-kids-405/overview/

http://www.sickkids.ca/kidshealth/fall2001vol2issue3/backpack.asp

http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/backpack.html

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00043

www.kidshealth.org/kid/grow/school_stuff/backpack.html

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=51548

http://www.sailgb.com/c/childrens_backpacks/

http://health.usnews.com/usnews/health/briefs/childrenshealth/hb051212a.htm

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/50140.php

http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&id=2324&np=286

http://www.promoteot.org/AI_BackpackStrategies.html

http://www.chop.edu/consumer/your_child/wellness_index.jsp?id=-8850

http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/school_backpacks_-_choice.html/context/363

http://www.accessibility.com.au/news/bad-backs-are-headed-back-to-school-overloaded-backpacks-to-blame-for-back-pain-in-children

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=83507

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-rock-positano/backpacks-can-cause-back-_b_63007.html

http://www.chiro.org/LINKS/backpacks.shtml

http://orthopedics.about.com/b/2004/03/06/childrens-backpacks-can-cause-back-problems.htm

blogs.webmd.com/healthy-children/2006/01/back-to-school-backpacks-and-backaches.html - 27k -

http://www.pediatricsnow.com/metrowest_pk_archive/jul_26_2005_choose_right_kids_backpack.htmlhttp://www.ahealthyme.com/topic/backpacks