Home Safety on Friday the 13th: Why safety should not be a matter of luck

Modern sensor technology instead of superstition with the Multisensor Plus from Techem

Safety at home is a top priority for residents – as shown by a Techem survey conducted in late 2024.* At the same time, it is clear that many everyday risks are underestimated: Even minor technical defects or unnoticed incidents can quickly develop into serious dangers. In this context, one aspect is particularly important: residential fires. 

March 13, 2026, once again brings the topic of home safety into focus: As smoke detector awareness day, it draws attention to the smoke alarm requirements and the importance of modern warning systems in the home. Since 2006, the awareness day has been held under the motto “Friday the 13th could be your lucky day” – an opportunity to highlight how indispensable fire preventive protection is and the role that reliable warning systems play in home safety. 

Modern home safety today goes far beyond classic smoke detection—new sensor technology enables early detection of multiple risks. The Multisensor Plus (MSD) from Techem combines smoke, heat, carbon monoxide, and humidity detection in a single device, covering crucial safety and comfort aspects. By combining several “senses,” the MSD detects changes in the living space at an early stage, thus creating a significantly higher level of protection for residents. 

What makes the MSD special: Thanks to its heat sensors, the Multisensor Plus can also be used in the kitchen, where conventional smoke detectors reach their limits. The kitchen remains the most common source of fires in the home—a risk that many renters are aware of, according to the Techem survey.

The MSD also has a sensor for detecting carbon monoxide, which is triggered when concentrations reach critical levels. Since carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas, it often forms completely unnoticed. It usually originates from heating sources such as wood-burning stoves, pellet heaters, or gas boilers that have been incorrectly installed or poorly maintained. In higher concentrations, CO acts as a powerful respiratory toxin that can cause headaches, nausea, unconsciousness, and ultimately death. That is why reliable protection against carbon monoxide poisoning is extremely important. 

Another key safety advantage is the networked alarm system throughout the home: thanks to the grouping function, an alarm in one room automatically triggers the audible warning signal on all other devices installed across the home. At the same time, the Multisensor Plus operates at two different sound frequencies – a decisive contribution to accessibility, as the signal tones can also be heard more easily by children and elderly or hearing-impaired people. 

The optional indoor climate service allows tenants to receive regular updates on the current climate conditions in their apartment, subject to their consent. This service is available at no additional cost and provides recommendations for action to support more efficient heating and ventilation behavior in case of excessive temperature or humidity, for example. This effectively protects indoor air quality and building integrity while simultaneously reducing energy costs. Data privacy is a top priority: landlords receive only anonymized information on critical indoor climate values at the apartment level, without any conclusions being drawn about individual usage or ventilation behavior. Techem handles consent management for landlords; existing consents are automatically deleted when a tenant moves out. In addition, the indoor climate service is deactivated by default until tenants give their explicit consent – ensuring full compliance with data protection regulations.

It is clear that modern warning systems such as the MSD can significantly improve home safety. For landlords, property managers, and residents, the Multisensor Plus creates lasting value that goes beyond traditional fire protection and represents a step forward in the smoke alarm segment. You can find more information about the MSD on our product page (only in German). You can read more about Techem here. 

*The market research survey was conducted online in November 2024. Fifty homeowners and 951 tenants were asked about their attitudes toward security sensors and smoke detectors in a quantitative survey.

Image information: Home Safety on Friday the 13th: Why safety should not be a matter of luck (Source: Techem).