This Halloween, a mother of two is urging parents to be vigilant against novelty products bought over the internet, after she suffered chemical burns to the face from applying a fake blood product.
Chemical burns to the face. Not what Victoria Eaton, a mother of two from North Yorkshire, envisaged whilst applying fake blood as the finishing touch to her fancy dress outfit. Following specialist investigations conducted by Thompsons Solicitors, which revealed that the product was untested and defective, Victoria has secured £1,987 in compensation.
On Halloween, children across the country will be asking their parents to buy face paints and other novelty cosmetic products to complete their costumes. But Victoria is urging parents to be vigilant against any products that are bought over the internet.
Skin began to peel
She was unaware that the fake blood that she had bought via eBay had not been properly tested. Within 30 minutes of applying the product to her face and chest, a white foam appeared and Victoria’s skin began to peel.
Victoria explains: “The fake blood quickly caused a burning sensation, it was incredibly painful and became very itchy. Despite receiving treatment at A&E, I was left with blistering and redness which lasted for weeks. It was a really difficult time and the incident had a real impact on my everyday life. I had to cover my face and chest with a scarf at work during this period – it was very embarrassing and I became very self-conscious.
Check fine print
“What’s worse is that I had offered to put some of the fake blood on my son for his costume. He happened to say that he didn’t want any, but I dread to think what would have happened had he said yes.”
Victoria is urging all parents to check the fine print on these sorts of products and to buy them from reputable suppliers, rather than online, and says: “I don’t want anyone else to go through what I went through.”
Catherine Reynolds at Thompsons Solicitors who represented Victoria, says: “Victoria’s case is a Halloween horror story come true and underlines the dangers that are present for parents buying products online. We need tighter rules to stop the sale of untested products that come into the UK via import.
“Victoria’s injuries could have been prevented if the product in question had been properly tested and the defect detected before it was put into circulation.”
Consumers who have been effected in a similar way should call Thompsons Solicitors for legal advice on 0800 0 224 224.
