Burst water pipes can be a real plumbing emergency, potentially leaking gallons of water all over your house. Your best bet would be to pick up the telephone and call an emergency plumber to come out and fix the situation, however there are a few things you could do to improve the situation:

Find the water supply to the leaking pipe and shut it off. If you are not sure where this is located shut off the water supply to the entire house. It is vitally important that anyone living in the house knows where the water shut off valve is and how to use it should a situation like this arise.

Once the water supply has been shut off turn on the cold water taps to drain the system of cold water.

Turn off your water heater and/or central heating system.

Turn on your hot water taps to drain…