A NEW resource in the fight against fires is coming to Weymouth and Portland in the lead up to and during the Olympic and Paralympic sailing events.

Mandy Butcher has been appointed as a Home Safety Adviser for the borough and she will be starting her new role this week.

Mandy will be carrying out home safety checks in properties having extra visitors or guests due to the Olympics and Paralympics.

Dorset Fire and Rescue Services community engagement manager Kate Huelin said: “Mandy will be a great addition to our plans to make Weymouth and Portland safer.

“She will provide support for the sailing fraternity in the area, and ensure there is boat safety information available for all our visitors.

“She will also make sure that relevant information is available for any Paralympic competitors and their hosts.”

Dorset boat owners have been given a stark warning ‘Don’t drown in toxic smoke’ as part of national Boat Fire Safety Week.

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service teamed up with the Boat Safety Scheme to remind boat owners that all vessels with overnight accommodation ought to be fitted with a smoke alarms, which should be tested regularly. Fire service figures show that just two to three breaths of toxic smoke can cause unconsciousness – and over the past five years, at least six people who died in fires on their boats, could have survived if working smoke alarms had been fitted.

Several other boats may have not have been destroyed if owners had got an early enough warning.

Find out more about boating fire safety at boatsafetyscheme.com/fire