A guide to Folsom’s available services while city offices are closed during the holidays

The holidays are here.

The city of Folsom’s administrative offices are closed Friday, Dec. 23, through Monday, Dec. 26, and from Friday, Dec. 30, to Monday, Jan. 2, according to the city’s newsletter. However, there are still ways to contact the city for urgent issues.

The following is a guide to city resources, including how to dispose of Christmas trees, how to prevent grease clogs, how to avoid fires and more.

It can be easy being green

There is no change to waste collection services on holidays, according to the city’s newsletter, and cans should be placed by your curbside by 6 a.m. on your regular day of service.

A Christmas tree recycling event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 7 at Rodeo Park at the end of Stafford Street.

The city said Americans throw away an extra 25 million tons of garbage between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, which is 25% more waste than any other time of year. Because of this, the city recommends the following sustainability measures:

Before shopping for groceries, take an inventory of the items you have at home and make a plan for storing and using leftovers. You might also set up a kitchen pail to collect food scraps after serving snacks and meals.

Get creative with your gift-giving and consider shopping at local businesses, then wrap them in reusable gift bags or recycled paper bags. In the same vein, consider switching to e-cards instead of printed holiday cards. If you choose traditional cards, look for those printed on recycled paper. Avoid glossy or foil-coated paper because these are not recyclable.

The city also suggests switching to energy-efficient LED holiday lights.

You can put the following items in your green waste bin, according to the city’s news release: All food scraps, including meat, bones, eggs, bread, baked goods, cheese and vegetable trimmings. You can toss in toothpicks, cocktail napkins and paper towels. Christmas trees are accepted as long as they are cut down into 2-foot-long sections. The bin can take pumpkins, squash, gourds, wreaths, boughs and other evergreen decorations.

The following items cannot go in your green waste bin: wires, ribbons, lights and other artificial elements of decorations.

How to stop the FOG clogs

“FOG” commonly refers to fats, oils and grease.

The city said that improper disposal of fats, oils and grease can lead to drain and sewer destruction. In October, the child-care business La Petite Academy on Glenn Drive suffered blockage and damage to the drain and sewers due to fats, oils and grease, according to Christine Brainerd, the city’s communications director.

According to the city, the best ways to dispose of it are to transfer solids and scrape liquids into clear plastic or compostable bags, and when they are full, tie the bag shut and place it in your green waste bin.

You might also recycle cooled cooking oil, placing it back into its original container and making an appointment to have it picked up through the city of Folsom Door 2 Door Residential Household Hazardous Waste program.

Visit www.folsom.ca.us/FOG for more information or call 916-461-6177.

Chestnuts roast better on contained fire

The city recommends that you stay in the kitchen while cooking and never leave the stove or oven unattended, the newsletter said. Make sure all electrical cords attached to cooking appliances are in good condition.

Check your smoke alarms and test them monthly, according to the city, and keep children away from hot surfaces and liquids.

Excluding holidays, the Folsom Fire Department is open from Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., though it is closed between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. those days. On Fridays, it is open from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m.

Call 9-1-1 for emergencies and 916-461-6300 for non-emergencies and administration at Fire Station 35.

Holiday closures

In addition to the city’s closures during the holidays, a number of Folsom organizations will also be closed or maintain special hours throughout the holidays.

Transit services will be available through the Folsom Stage Line operated by Sacramento Regional Transit, according to the city’s newsletter.

The Folsom Public Library will be closed Saturday, Dec. 24, and Saturday, Dec. 31, in observance of the holidays, according to the library’s Twitter account. It is regularly closed on Sundays and Mondays.

The Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on both Saturday, Dec. 24, and Saturday, Dec. 31. It is closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.

The Andy Morin Sports Complex will be closed from Friday, Dec. 23, to Monday, Dec. 26, it will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Tuesday, Dec. 27, through Thursday, Dec. 29, then it will once again be closed from Friday, Dec. 30, to Sunday, Jan. 1.

The Steve Miklos Aquatic Center is closed from Saturday, Dec. 24, through Monday, Jan. 2.

The Folsom Senior Center, Folsom Art Center, and Gallery at 48 Natoma are closed from Friday, Dec. 23, through Monday, Jan. 2.

Fun Factory, Kindergarten Readiness, and the after-school CAVE programs are closed.

The Cummings Family Skate & Bike Park is open Monday, Dec. 19, to Saturday, Dec. 24, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m during the school break. It is closed Sunday, Dec. 25, and then reopens Monday, Dec. 26, through Monday, Jan. 2, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The FIDO Field Dog Park will be open from 7 a.m. to one hour after sunset through the holidays.

Call 9-1-1 for life-threatening emergencies. For urgent city issues, call 916-461-6400.