‘Skin melted off’: Temu fake oodie recalled after 8YO burned

Retail giant Temu has recalled a popular children’s garment after it caught fire, leaving an eight-year-old girl badly burned.

Severe burns to the face and body of an eight-year-old girl have forced Chinese retail giant Temu to recall a jumper sold online.

Daniella Jacobs-Herd was wearing a unicorn emblazoned jumper – similar to an ‘oodie’ – when sparks from a fire pit ignited the garment in an instant, badly burning her skin in July last year.

Daniella’s mother kept her under the shower as paramedics rushed to their Queensland home. She suffered third-degree burns to the face, chest, arm and hand.

Daniella Jacobs-Herd was badly burnt. Picture: Supplied

She has undergone dozens of surgeries since the incident. Picture: Supplied

A Temu spokesperson said the company had been “in communications” with both the family and the merchant involved in this incident.

“There are limits to what we can share given the privacy considerations,” the spokesperson said.

“Temu takes product safety very seriously and has been working closely with the ACCC to address this issue.

“We promptly removed the product from sale in early September 2024 upon becoming aware of the incident,” the spokesperson said.

“As a precaution, we have expanded our review to children’s nightwear sold by other traders. Additionally, we are in discussions with the ACCC about becoming a signatory to the online product safety pledge.”

The garments were sold between October 2023 and March 2024.

The pink rainbow unicorn, the purple rainbow unicorn, the blue dinosaur and space planet garments sold by Temu are not safe.

The glow-in-the-dark jumpers do not have the required fire hazard label.

In a fundraiser, Daniella’s mother says the eight-year-old has autism and ADHD and the family was struggling with medical bills.

“She is so brave. Please help us,” Hannah Jacobs writes.

In the seven weeks immediately after the incident, Daniella underwent 14 surgeries, her mother says.

The family were around a fire pit on their mother’s birthday when a spark flew up and landed on Daniella’s jumper.

“It melted to her skin,” Ms Jacobs said.

Daniella’s mother says the eight-year-old’s skin ‘melted off’. Picture: Supplied

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says the four types of oodie-style jumpers were sold between October 2023 and March 2024.

“The product does not comply with the mandatory standard for nightwear for children. It doesn’t include the required warning label,” the ACCC recall says.

“There is a risk of serious burn injuries if exposed to a heat or flame source. Consumers may not be aware of this risk.

“An incident has occurred resulting in serious injuries to a child.”

Consumers are entitled to a refund from Temu via the Chinese manufacturer.