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Children aren't concerned whether their new backpacks could lead to chronic neck and back problems later in life or what safety rules to follow on their way to and from school. It's up to you to keep them safe and healthy. Follow these smart strategies to head off common school-related health and safety problems.
 Learn your school's medication policies
It is important to know your school's rules about handling and distributing medicine before the school year starts, in the event your child is well enough to go to school but needs to take medication during school hours. Talk to the nurse or person in charge of administering medication at your school and give them information in writing, including the name of the drug, reason for the medication, dosage, times when it should be taken, possible side effects, prescribing physician's name and telephone number, and emergency contact information. Deliver the medication yourself, in its original container, to the appropriate official.
"Your child needs to be clear on the medication instructions as well, so he or she knows things are being done properly," says Wyndolyn Bell, M.D., secretary of the Georgia chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Your child also should be aware that sharing prescription or over-the-counter medication with another student could lead to an accidental overdose, as well as suspension or expulsion from school.
Also, remember to refill the medication when one week's supply is remaining.
If your child is diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or is emotionally or physically handicapped, work with teachers and administrators at your school to develop an individual education plan for your child. This plan can include information on special equipment and seating, how to complete missed homework assignments, and other services to address your child's needs.
Meeting with teachers and administrators also is recommended if your child has a chronic illness, has not done well in school, has difficulty adjusting to new situations or has problems at home, such as a divorce or death in the family, Bell, an Atlanta pediatrician, says.
Be a weight-watcher with your child's backpack
Children carrying heavy backpacks are at risk of developing chronic back and neck problems later in life, according to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). Here are some backpack tips from the ACA:
- Make sure your child's backpack weighs no more than 5 percent to 10 percent of his or her body weight. If it's more than that, the weight will cause your child to awkwardly bend forward. Make sure bulky or pointy items are kept away from the area that will rest on your child's back.
- Have your child use both shoulder straps. Carrying a heavy pack over one shoulder can lead to neck and muscle spasms and lower back pain.
- Buy a backpack with padded, adjustable shoulder straps and individualized compartments that can ensure a book won't squish your child's lunch.
Safety, safety, safety
Whether your child is catching the school bus, walking, bicycling or driving to school, make sure you plan and review safety rules and the route to and from school with your child. Let your children know who to call in an emergency if they can't reach you. If your child is too young to memorize phone numbers, make sure the information is written somewhere in their school supplies or in their backpack.
For teens who can drive, parents should know when they are driving to school and school events, who is with them, and when they are returning. Just like there are house rules, there should be car rules. Teens should be reminded to wear a seat belt and not drive while listening to loud music or talking on a cellular phone. "You should not just give a teenager a car with no parameters," Bell says.
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External Sources
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American Academy of Pediatrics
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American Chiropractic Association
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This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
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