Lightning protection systems have been protecting people and property world-wide for over 260 years. They have been the subject of numerous studies over the decades including rocket-to-wire triggered lightning research at the University of Florida.
You may have noted that The Villages has installed LPS on every pumping station, all sewage treatment plants, fire department headquarters including the adjacent emergency operations center, and nearly every building at Sumter Landing. Hospitals and educational facilities are required to be protected by the building code. Most large churches and hotels in the area are also protected as is the Sharon Performing Arts Center and the Savannah Center among many others.

If you can change a circuit breaker in your panel, you can install a whole house surge protector, one wire connects to the neutral bar-- sooo simple, its a plug in installation

The hardest part is removing the panel cover and 2 -1" twist out covers-- a 6 minute job

Regarding the warranty coverage, reread post #18, particularly the part where there is no coverage if the surge originates after the SECO transformer (i.e. a close in strike). Read the warranty, don't rely on what someone on the phone says.

For TVs consider routing the coaxial cable through the surge protector. Unfortunately, this is often overlooked.
SECO stopped selling point of use (POU) surge protectors about three years ago. When purchasing POU surge protectors look for the UL label marked 1449 and Type 3.

And when buying, the higher number of "joules" rating, the better.

I would just ask, if these surge protectors are so inexpensive and offer cost effective protection against electrical surges and lightning, then why aren't they required by the electrical code? I believe that the reason is that they are not effective. They are just another way for the electric companies and contractors to make additional profit by making false claims. Most houses don't have them, and don't have significant damage to their appliances and electronics.

Wonder why they are not in fact required by code?

I believe the issue isn’t how to protect your equipment from a rare direct hit by lightning, but how to protect it from common surges in the electrical grid. Surge suppression is a really good idea.

Any good power-strip surge suppressor or UPS will include a warranty that covers anything plugged into it.

I agree that surge suppression is a good idea. But, that is the responsibility of the electric company, and they do a good job. But, telling homeowners that they need to buy an add-on device because the electrical system is inadequate doesn't make sense to me. If the surge device was really needed, it could easily be incorporated into the standard electrical panel and be required by code. The only evidence I have seen that you need a whole house surge protector is anecdotal evidence by people who already paid money for it. Where is the proof?

Lightning protection
 

My co-instructor and I teach classes (mainly to the military worldwide). Here's a few comments:
1. Contrary to what we were always taught, lightning DOES NOT follow the "path of least resistance". It follows many paths "proportionately"
2. As one reader said, the best bet (but not the cheapest) is installing air gap terminals on the roof that'll be connected to a grounding electrode that's been thoroughly tested. That electrode will also need to be connected to the power company electrode (per code)
3. And finally, as someone said, NOTHING is going to TOTALLY eliminate all damages caused by a direct shot of lightning. Too much energy coming in.
4. Prayers are probably the closest to solving all your problems

All utilities (electric, water, gas, telephone,CATV) are are only responsible for their service on their side of the meter. After the meter it is you the homeowner who is responsible. Every year there are residents who experience preventable damage to TVs, computers, appliances, garage door operators, etc. due to an indirect lightning strike without surge protection. It is up to you to do your own due diligence. Lightning is not addressed in the National Electric Code. It is addressed in NFPA 780, Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems,2020, including surge protection. Healthcare and and educational facilities must comply under the building code. It is not required for residential properties but does provide sound guidance based on decades of experience with lightning. A good reference is University of Florida professor Dr. Martin Uman's book, The Art and Science of Lightning Protection. This book can be found in TV Belvedere Library.

Thanks for the info. Interesting that Lightning would weigh in on Lightning:bigbow:

Yes, in the villages I see them all over. Digital antennas are unusual looking, nothing like the old Tv antennas of 50s.