Spring is the peak period for house purchase and construction. It is important to protect one of your life’s biggest investments and the people you love.

May is National Electrical Safety Month. It is a good time to learn about potential electrical hazards and learn more about arc fault circuit breaker (AFCI) circuit breaker technology, which is an important life and fire safety equipment suitable for any new or newly renovated house- And the national electrical code requirements.

"Ensuring that your home is equipped with life-saving technologies such as arc fault circuit breakers is critical," said Ashley Bryant, co-chair of the American Electrical Manufacturers Association's Low-Voltage Power Distribution Equipment AFCI Working Group. "AFCI is a smart device that has been proven to detect broken wires behind walls, broken wires under furniture, or dangerous arcs connected to unsafe equipment, thereby preventing fatal electrical fires."

According to the National Association of Certified Building Inspectors, some of the top issues to look for in the home are: insufficient electrical service, insufficient overcurrent protection, and dangerous, damaged, or non-compliant wiring and wiring connections.

To help you ensure that the house you buy or build is protected from future electrical problems, please consider the following additional tips:

• Hire certified and licensed house inspectors.

A professional house inspector can tell you a lot about the safety of the house’s electrical system and the possible need for repairs and updates. To ensure that the personnel you hire are qualified, please visit the NACHI website nachi.org/certified-inspectors.

• Meet the requirements of the National Electrical Code.

Ensure that your home's electrical system meets the requirements of the National Electrical Code, including the installation of AFCI circuit breakers, which provide a critical area for home electrical fire protection.

Although it is widely believed that this technology is unaffordable and difficult to find, the average cost of protecting a new 2,000-square-foot four-bedroom house is only $300, and AFCI circuit breakers can be purchased from electricity suppliers and home improvement stores. According to manufacturers The group's argument is online.

Rooms with water, such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms and outdoor areas, should be equipped with dual-function AFCI/GFCI circuit breakers. GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Breaker, which is used in conjunction with AFCI technology to help prevent possible electric shocks and electric shocks.

If the house does not have this protection, be prepared to ask the owner or builder to update it according to your state's electrical and building codes, or be prepared to hire a licensed electrical professional to install these life-saving and property-saving equipment after you move in. An important resource for more information is www.afcisafety.org.

Some simple steps can be taken around the house to help protect your house from electrical fires and ensure the safety of your family.

Check that the lamp has the correct wattage and is tightened in the socket. Make sure that no furniture is placed on the electrical cord or against the plugged-in socket. Protect valuable electronic equipment by installing surge protection devices, and prevent circuit breakers from tripping by not overloading any circuits.

Ask the seller if any updates have been made to the electrical system of the house. Be sure to figure out whether this is a DIY project or whether a licensed electrician completed the work under a permit.

"The process of buying or building a house is often overwhelming. Knowing a little about electrical safety can help ensure you make a reasonable investment and give you more peace of mind," Bryant said.