As Lakewood residents prepare to celebrate the holiday season and its busy schedule of parties, Lakewood Township encourages residents to take special care when cleaning up the oily stuff.

Per the guidance of the Lakewood Township Municipal Utilities Authority (MUA) and New Jersey American Water, it is crucial to make sure that Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) do not make it into the water drains, pipes and/or sewer system of one’s home. When FOGS accumulate, they can do significant damage to the home’s plumbing system, and potentially cost property owners and/or residents a substantial amount of money in damages and repairs.

The local utility providers offer several simple tips that can save an untold amount of headaches and money:

• Do not pour any FOGs down a sink, toilet, shower/tub, or garbage disposal system.
• Place a strainer into sink drain to prevent food scraps and/or FOG from making their way down the drain.
• Wipe grease and food scraps off pots and utensils and throw them into your regular trash before washing the pots and utensils.
• Pour FOGs into a closed disposable container and dispose container into your regular trash.
• The above guidelines must be followed carefully. Running hot water down the drain after disposing FOGs will not prevent potential damage.

“It is important to note that property owners and residents are the ones who are most directly affected by these issues,” says Lakewood Township Committeeman Meir Lichtenstein. “An ounce of prevention in one’s kitchen is a pound of cure for their families and others around them.”