I just paid a visit to my sewing machine dealers shop wanted to see what's new and what I might be missing, along with what kind of deals he has coming up (black Friday). Found some GREAT machines with large spaces for quilting (all DM's), with prices to match. The ones that I was falling in love with ALL STARTED at $7,000.00 and UP. So is my machine plugged into a surge protector when in use - YES. Would I have my machine plugged in at all during a storm - NO. I have always been very careful with my machines, but after seeing the prices of the new machines I will be even MORE CAREFUL. Surge protectors are good, but still NO guarantee that they will keep your machine from being killed in a storm.