Along with the irritating power failures of winter months come those nasty power spikes that test our technological defences.

The cost of computer equipment replacement and down time far exceeds the expense of providing power spike protection, so everyone should consider having a surge protector unit between their PC and the wall socket.

The Universal Travel Surge Protector is a good example of a basic surge protector and offers a £40,000 connected-equipment warranty if it fails to protect your precious computer.

The unit is disc-shaped and fairly lightweight. Wires are clipped into place for neatness and the overall visual impression is one of efficiency and robustness.

The protector is internationally-compatible so it can be carried anywhere in the world. Given the UK has a fairly stable power supply by world standards, it is easy to see that overseas travel with a computer might require extra protective kit.

The protector's retractable phone cord allows a mobile user to connect to the telephone system through a protected cable.

Many people are unaware that power surges can be delivered to a computer through the telephone link to a modem.

Communications cables are easy enough to protect and the protector offers an excellent and extremely tidy solution.

If you do not have surge protection, you are risking your computer every time there is a thunder storm and every time the power company sends a spike up the line.

Don't think it won't happen to you. Eventually it will!

Price: £49.95.

Contact: 00 800 223 55460 (free phone).

Feel Good factor: 10 out of 10.