While most employees are able to stay warm in dangerously low temperatures because they work inside, some have no choice but to the brave winter's fury each day.

But employers whose staff works outdoors take steps to keep their employees safe in subfreezing temperatures like the ones we're experiencing this week.

Bill Kennihan, owner of Kennihan Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning in Middlesex Township, said he schedules extra technicians during a single-digit cold snap, so the business can provide 24-hour service to customers.

The company provides many different services during extreme cold, but one seems to be the most frequent.

“We see a lot of frozen pipes with the wind chill,” Kennihan said. “Air sneaks through the insulation and gets to the piping.”

On mobile homes and other structures with exterior pipes, technicians must bundle up and deal with the problem out in the cold.

For frozen pipes, Kennihan workers use an electric thawing machine to get the water flowing again.

In the less frequent case of pipes that have burst, Kennihan said the homeowner should shut off the water immediately.

For structures with a public water source, the shut-off valve can be found at the water meter.

For those with a well, the pump's power can be cut by flipping the switch in the building's service entrance that powers the pump.

Kennihan said he experiences double the service calls in extremely cold weather, so workers are issued an oil-powered portable heater to keep them from getting frostbite when working on exterior jobs.

They are also instructed to leave their service vehicles running, so they can jump in and warm up when needed.

Kennihan advises residents to open doors on vanities and showers and beneath sinks to allow heat to water pipes.

“Leave (faucets) dripping if you have a place where you know (pipes) might freeze, like along exterior walls,” he said.

However, those in mobile homes who allow their faucets to slowly drip to keep the water from freezing might experience a buildup of ice in the drain if it is exposed to the elements, Kennihan said. That could cause a backup or damage to the drain.

He recommends insulating unused fireplaces to keep the cold air out, as long as the insulation is removed the next time a fire is started.

Dave Wittmann, vice president of cable marketing for Armstrong, said the technicians' work schedules are modified and non essential jobs are postponed in frostbite weather.

“Our customers are really understanding,” he said. “Sometimes they call us to say, 'Do you really want the guy to come out today?'”

He said technicians are apprised of layering concepts for clothing and provided with rated outerwear that will withstand the polar temperatures.

They are also given hand warmers and supervisors insist they take additional breaks, Wittmann said.

He said the main jobs undertaken outdoors by Armstrong workers include repairing lines, running new lines to homes and businesses and regular maintenance on the Armstrong plant, where cable TV and Internet services originate.

“We pay special attention to monitor and make sure there are no issues,” Wittmann said. “Usage spikes on cold days because everyone is at home and they need something to do.”

He said workers select ultraprotective clothing using the company's clothing allowance.

“This is pretty extreme,” Wittmann said of the current cold temperatures.

Tom Fisher, the owner of Fisher's Service, said the number of calls for auto service — for example, a battery jump or towing — increased about 30 percent on Wednesday.

He said he answered 35 to 40 calls, mostly for starts, on Wednesday.

“People are more prepared because we're already into winter,” Fisher said. “If this had been one of the first days of winter, it would have been complete bedlam. On some of these (single-digit) days, I've had as many as 75 or 80 calls.”

He doesn't worry about his workers staying warm, as this cold snap is not their first rodeo.

“Most of my guys are seasoned,” Fisher said. “They know how to dress appropriately.”

He said Fisher's is AAA's preferred service provider for six townships in the county, and the auto association gives his workers special winter jackets that keep them warm and block the icy wind.

“That's a big help,” Fisher said.

Regarding calls, Fisher will move a motorist who is broken down along a roadside or highway to the head of the line if his other clients are at home or work.

“People need to be patient,” Fisher said. “If somebody's at home or a safe place where they can stay warm, a breakdown along the highway is going to take precedence.”

Through AAA, Fisher also offers a battery service in which his employees will test a battery and replace it if needed.

On severely cold winter days like Wednesday, he sends clients to the shop to have their battery replaced, if possible, rather than attempt replacing batteries outside in the cold.

“Plastic gets brittle in these temperatures and it's hard to work with your hands,” Fisher said.