The annual celebrations around Chinese New Year are upon us once again and Severn Trent is asking everyone to be careful with their fats, oils and greases (FOG). 

This year is the Year of the Snake and will see many people celebrating the festival and observing many traditions. 

Whether people are getting together for family gatherings or meal or using the New Year as a chance to indulge in some delicious food, Severn Trent is asking everyone to have fun but be aware of what can happen if FOG is disposed of down the sink. 

Cooking oil and food leftovers can cause huge problems if they make their way into sewers, building up and creating nasty blockages and fatbergs, which can lead to flooding in customers’ homes.  

The water company also knows winter can be a challenging time for its customers’, that’s why it’s encouraging people, along with their team of Winter Helpers, to ‘weather the winter together’ by providing helpful tips, to help protect homes from things like costly blockages and burst pipes, as well as support when it comes to bills.    

Grant Mitchell, Sewer Blockages Lead and Winter Helper at Severn Trent, said: “The Chinese New Year is a chance for many families to get together and celebrate. 

“But whether you are cooking this at home or ordering in, we need people to be thinking about how they are disposing of their fats, oils and greases as they can cause issues for customers if they are washed down the sink instead of thrown in the bin. 

“We all need to do our bit to keep our sewers clear and are once again asking everyone to be a binner, not a blocker.” 

Severn Trent managed to clear a staggering 28,782 blockages last year alone which could’ve been avoided if incorrect items were not put down the toilet and sink. It has also successfully prevented over 18 million litres of fats, oil and grease from entering the sewers.  

The water and waste company has now shared some advice on ways customers can protect their home:   

In the kitchen:   

• Use kitchen roll to soak up grease from plates and pans before washing up      

• Collect used cooking oil, fat and grease into a container, jar or tin and put it in the bin once cool      

Aside from in the kitchen, make sure to keep a bin in your bathroom for all unflushable items, like wipes, sanitary products and cotton buds and only flush the 3Ps - pee, poo, and (toilet) paper- down the toilet.  

For more information on blockages and how get your home prepared for the holidays visit www.stwater.co.uk/avoidblockages.