Pennsylvania American Water warned customers in a Thursday news release to exercise caution to prevent pipes from freezing. The release coincides with the winter storm this Thursday and Friday and the extreme temperatures that came with it.

The company said people should learn the location of their main water shutoff valve and disconnect any outside hose connections linked to the plumbing system.

The release also said residents should wrap exposed pipes in insulation and eliminate all sources of cold air near waterlines. People should open cabinet doors to give warm air better access to pipes, according to the release.

If pipes freeze and burst, people should shut the water off right away and avoid trying to thaw those pipes until they are shut off, the company said. Once they are shut off, people should apply heat from hair dryers, space heaters and hot water to thaw them; never use torches or open flames to thaw them, it said.

For more information on preventing frozen pipes, click on “Water Information and Wise Water Use” at www.amwater.com/paaw.