According to a recent study from Pew Research Center, up to 30% of all children in the U.S. live with a single parent.

In some cases, the biggest challenge of being a single dad or single mom is handling the role of both parents. Attempting to be both mom and dad can be a bit stressful at times. A single parent also has additional pressure to keep their homes – and children – safe and secure.

While it is impossible to be in two places at the same time, when you use some of the home safety tips for single parents, which are found here, you will feel confident your home and child(ren) are safe.

Create a security network. Even if your family doesn’t live close by, you can ask friends and neighbors to help you keep your home safe.
Take some time to get to know people living nearby and develop a sense of trust with them. If you are away or at work, they can help keep an eye on your home and alert you or the authorities if they see anything suspicious.

Mindful privacy is a must. Be sure to be choosy when it comes to giving out your personal information. This includes details about where you work or where your kids go to school, your phone number and address. While it can seem a bit paranoid, one of the best ways to keep strangers away is by withholding this info. Also, be careful about posting anything on social media, which can alert people to when you are not at home.

Install a quality home security system. While maintaining your privacy and asking people you trust to help you out, you can keep yourself, your home and your children safe. There are a number of quality and effective security systems on the market today that can provide 24-hour surveillance and monitoring for your home.