Consumer Alert

Sea & Sea Underwater Photography is recalling about 7,000 strobe lights because of two incidents in which the strobes exploded due to internal gas buildup. The recall covers all model YS-50 strobes and any YS-60 or YS-120 strobes whose serial numbers begin with 96 or 94. The serial numbers are printed inside the yellow, black, or orange plastic housing. Recalled strobes were manufactured between February 1988 and March 1999 and sold nationwide for between $500 and $800.

Both strobe explosions occurred after the lights were flooded, when an internal gas buildup either caused the front and back sections to be torn apart or ejected the battery cap from the unit. One exploding strobe caused facial cuts in a Japanese strobe owner, and a Caribbean repair technician received a chipped tooth. The Consumer Product Safety Commission requested that consumers stop using the strobes, and any strobe that displays corrosion or becomes inoperative should be returned to an authorized Sea & Sea repair center. Sea & Sea will send consumers a free replacement battery cap that will prevent gas buildup.

For more information about the recall or repair center locations, call Sea & Sea at 800-732-7977 between 9 and 5 PST Monday through Friday.