So that protection is for electrical surge as in if your home was struck by lightning. Most have some type thermal trip integrated, but not all. Otherwise lots of people use them, I've got several under my desk with a plethora of cords for my computer and ancillary crap. For our growing endeavors where we may not be watching 24/7 or even in the same room is my only concern with untended electrical apparatus. Lights, fans, tubes that can explode, ballasts that can do the same rupturing their insulation and innards all over. I've seen some controllers that have heat or smoke inputs that will shutdown all the power when/if something like a high heat or smoke situation arises. That would be ideal from an electrical safety outlook. Peace.