[Exclusive Survey] 94.8% of Single-Living Women Anxious About Security / What are the pitfalls of the 'Hanging Men's Underwear' trick that 80% don't know? My-refo conducts a fact-finding survey of 193 female tenants.

Rutage Flou Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture; hereinafter "My-refo"), which operates the renovation and security information media "My-refo," conducted an "Attitude and Fact-finding Survey on Security Awareness among Women Living Alone" targeting 193 women living alone in rental properties nationwide on April 23, 2026. With the spring relocation season and Golden Week approaching—a time when anxiety and the risk of burglaries in vacant homes increase—we are announcing the results of this survey.

The survey revealed that while 94.8% of women "feel anxious about security when living alone," 55.5% have "given up on security measures because they are in a rental property." Furthermore, 79.8% of respondents were unaware that the traditional security tactic of "hanging men's underwear on the balcony" could actually be "counterproductive in modern times." This highlights that outdated security knowledge still persists.

### Key Highlights of the Survey Results
- 94.8% of single-living women "feel anxious about security."
- 55.5% have "given up on security measures due to being in a rental," with the top reason being "concern about restoring the property to its original state" (51.4%).
- 79.8% were unaware that "hanging men's underwear could be counterproductive."
- The #1 unconscious NG habit is "opening the door silently when returning home" (74.1%).
- The #1 implemented security measure is "blackout curtains" (66.8%).

### Survey Overview
- Name: Attitude and Fact-finding Survey on Security Awareness among Women Living Alone
- Entity: My-refo (Rutage Flou Co., Ltd.)
- Targets: Women living alone in rental properties nationwide
- Valid Responses: 193
- Method: Internet survey (CloudWorks)
- Date: April 23, 2026

### Result 1: 94.8% of Single-Living Women Feel Anxious
To the question "Have you felt anxious about security since you started living alone?" 39.9% answered "very much so" and 54.9% answered "somewhat," totaling 94.8% of women experiencing anxiety. Only 3.1% said their feelings remained "mostly unchanged," and 2.1% felt "no anxiety," revealing that almost all women living alone live with some form of security concern.

### Result 2: 55.5% Gave Up on Measures Due to Rental Status
When asked "Have you ever given up on security measures because the property is a rental?" 8.3% said "frequently" and 47.2% said "occasionally," totaling 55.5%. The reasons given (multiple answers, 109 respondents) were:
1. Worry about original state restoration: 51.4%
2. Cost: 50.5%
3. Cannot drill holes in walls or windows: 37.6%
4. Thought permission from the landlord/management was required: 26.6%
5. Don't know what to do: 23.9%
This shows that "restoration risks" and "cost burden" specific to rentals are hurdles to security measures.

### Result 3: 79.8% Unaware that Hanging Men's Underwear can be Counterproductive
The classic tactic of "hanging men's underwear on the balcony" yielded the following results:
- Awareness and implementation: 7.3%
- Aware but not implementing: 82.9%
- Unaware: 9.8%
Regarding the risk of this being counterproductive (revealing it's a woman living alone), only 20.2% "knew," while 79.8% "did not know." Today, factors such as the unnaturalness of only male underwear being hung or discrepancies in style and usage can lead burglars to realize the occupant is faking a male presence. However, 80% of women still hold onto this outdated knowledge.

### Result 4: #1 Unconscious NG Habit is "Opening the Door Silently"
Regarding "unconscious NG habits" (multiple answers):
1. Opening the door silently when returning home: 74.1%
2. Walking with earphones at night: 42.0%
3. Discarding mail/delivery labels as they are: 25.4%
4. Posting "I am here" in real-time on SNS: 13.5%
5. Silhouette visible from outside due to thin curtains: 8.8%
About 3 out of 4 women open the door silently when returning home.