SOUTH West Water is urging households and food businesses this Christmas to take a few simple steps to prevent sewer blockages by keeping fats, oils and grease out of sinks and drains.

Over the last year alone, South West Water cleared more than 7,000 avoidable blockages from its wastewater network, removing approximately 450 tonnes of waste.

Around three-quarters of these blockages were caused by just two things: wet wipes and fats, oils and grease (FOG).

The festive season sees an increase in cooking fats and oils being poured away, with the traditional Christmas roast a key culprit.

Around 10 million turkeys are consumed each year in the UK, with a medium-sized turkey producing around three-quarters of a pint of fat - over 5.6 million litres in total, enough to fill more than 18,500 bathtubs!

Blockages thrive on the things we put down our drains and toilets — but without a ‘food supply’, they can’t grow.

To tackle this and help sewers flow freely this Christmas, South West Water is asking customers to follow these festive tips:

• In the bathroom – only flush the 3 Ps: pee, poo and paper. Everything else, including wipes (even those labelled as “flushable”), should go in the bin;

• In the kitchen – never pour fats, oils or grease down the sink. Let them cool, scrape or pour them into a container, and put them in the bin or food waste caddy;

• Food scraps and coffee grounds should also go in the bin.

Mark Willis, Customer Service & Network Manager for Wastewater Services at South West Water, said: ‘Christmas is a time for enjoying festive meals and celebrating with family, but it is also a peak period for fats, oils and grease entering the sewer network.

‘By following our simple festive tips at home , households can prevent blockages, protect the environment, and help ensure a worry-free Christmas for everyone’.