A device for detecting a deformation of a component, for example, in the automotive industry, having a deformable hollow body arrangement assigned as a deformation indicator to the component and having at least one orifice area, and at least one sensor device situated in the particular orifice area for measuring an air flow corresponding to the deformation of the hollow body arrangement. In addition, a method of detecting such a deformation of a component and activating an appropriate safety application is described. The measured data is analyzed by an analyzer unit after measurement of the deformation, and a suitable safety application optionally being activated if the measured data of the at least one sensor device indicates a deformation of hollow body arrangement and thus of the component.