There’s water pouring through the ceiling from a burst pipe – do you know where the stopcock is?

You’re going away and high winds are forecast – is your home gale proof?

Every year, thousands of people face the stress and expense of dealing with domestic emergencies caused by winter storms and extreme weather.

With a little forethought, you can reduce the risk of disaster, protecting your home, property, and most especially yourself and your loved ones.

Jason Tebb, managing director for Your Move, London, says estate agents frequently see the havoc winter weather can wreak on property, with burst pipes causing some of the worst damage.

“During spells of severely cold weather it’s possible for water pipes in your home and outside to freeze, which may lead to a burst pipe when the thaw sets in,” said Jason.

“Make sure you know where the stopcock is – that’s the valve for turning the cold water system on and off. It’s often found below the kitchen sink unit or adjacent larder units or sometimes in the front or rear hall. If in doubt, contact a plumber. Turning the stopcock clockwise switches off the water supply and prevents any more water flooding into your home.”

To reduce the risk of frozen or burst pipes: n Ensure your loft, pipes and water tank are properly lagged or insulated.

n If you are going away from home, try to leave the heating on at a low level.

n Leave doors – even the loft door – open to allow the warm air to circulate.

n Get someone to check your home while you are away.

n Check for dripping taps, as this can lead to problems.

Finally: n If the water won’t flow from your taps, it may be a sign the pipes have frozen. n Don’t try to heat the pipes up quickly as this could cause them to burst.

n But if the pipes do burst... call a local plumber.

The other most common types of storm claims involve trees or boundary walls blowing down, closely followed by chimney damage, greenhouse glass breakage, and felt roofs blowing off.

To minimise potential damage, insurance company Aviva recommend: n Parking your car in a garage, or away from large trees.

Securing loose objects like garden furniture, bikes, children’s toys and ladders.

Fastening all doors and windows.

Checking exterior aerials or satellite dishes are securely fixed.

Checking for loose tiles on the roof.

Securing any weak fences.

If your property does suffer damage, ring your insurer immediately as they can advise you on what to do next, as well as sorting out your claim.