See if you can find Leviton's white paper on this subject.To grossly oversimplify ( I'm not a sparky so can't go beyond that). You need one device installed across the service entrance - in other words the three wires that actually bring power into the breaker box-the power line at this point is very definitely capable of killing you-hire a electrician for this part of the job.. You then need a second layer of protection provided by boxes that can be installed in place of your conventional wall sockets.A feature of any surge suppressor that you want is a still live and kicken light(LED).A lot of surge suppressors will rely on some variation of the MOV - these oftentimes will work once - but will be "sacrificed" in doing it.Once these devices are blown - that's it - no future protection from the next hit.A green light/red light or no light feature at least gives you a chance to notice this device has been knocked out and replace it.
I would also suggest that having a electrician come in and spend a couple or three hours inspecting as much of your electrical setup as possible -down to pulling and visually inspecting each wall socket and switch -is well spent money. A LOT of how well your inside the house grid works is dependent on workmanship.The foundation point for most electrical systems is the simple wirenut -IMHO the dumbest piece of hardware ever invented.Some electricians have a personal quality standard that doesn't extend past -"no fire -didn't pop breaker -done" - unless you built your house - you just don't know.
I would also suggest that having a electrician come in and spend a couple or three hours inspecting as much of your electrical setup as possible -down to pulling and visually inspecting each wall socket and switch -is well spent money. A LOT of how well your inside the house grid works is dependent on workmanship.The foundation point for most electrical systems is the simple wirenut -IMHO the dumbest piece of hardware ever invented.Some electricians have a personal quality standard that doesn't extend past -"no fire -didn't pop breaker -done" - unless you built your house - you just don't know.