It’s that time of the year again! The start of September marks both the end of the summer season and the beginning of the school year for young adults and children. The first thing on the back-to-school supply list: the backpack! According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, over 79 million students in the US use a backpack daily. And each new grade means more books and heavier bags. Backpack safety is an important issue all parents should take into account as their children embark on another school year.   Photo Credit: WellCommons.com, http://wellcommons.com/groups/hy-vee/2011/aug/3/back-to-school-backpack-safety-check/ The back is made up of some of the strongest muscles in the body, but carrying more weight than it can handle may lead to chronic back pain .  However,  backpack misuse can be prevented! Below are some tips for parents and caregivers to keep their children safe from back pain: Backpacks should weigh no more than 15 to 20 percent of the child’s bodyweight (Source: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) The backpack should never hang more than 4 inches below the waistline; the bottom of the pack should rest in the lower back curve Try and purchase a backpack with compartments and distribute items so the