The original poster is correct....the surge protectors many of us use in our homes (we plug the computer/sewing machine, etc. into the protector and then plug it into the wall outlet) will not give you the protection that you really need against a power surge.
About 25 years ago, one evening we noticed that our lights would steading dim and brighten and dim and brighten and we could actually hear a hum that got soft and loud. Being very young, we had no clue what was going on...the next morning we had an electrician out and discovered we had been having power surges. Luckily, we did not lose too many items due to it. And, as recently as last week, I had a co-worker tell me that they had just had a power surge and lost many appliances and TVs.
I know we all feel safer to be plugging our computers and sewing machines into the plug in surge protectors but one just never knows when there will be a power surge that they will not protect. Very, very good advice!