If a pipe bursts, don’t panic – your first job is to stop the water. Run to the main shut-off valve for the house (or at least the nearest local valve) and turn it off immediately. Everyone in the home should know where this valve is, just like they know where the main switchboard is.
Once the water is off, quickly move furniture, rugs and anything valuable out of the wet area. Put down towels, buckets or containers to catch remaining drips. If water has reached electrical outlets or equipment, switch off the relevant breakers to stay safe.
After things are under basic control, call a plumber and describe clearly what happened and where. Taking a few photos or videos helps you explain the problem and also keeps a record if you need to talk to insurance later.
The main mistake people make is wasting precious minutes staring at the leak or trying to tape it while water is still gushing. Stopping the flow first limits damage. Repairs can be planned; uncontrolled water spreads fast.