In the wake of a house fire that killed five people in Connecticut, including three young girls who went to school in White Plains, fire officials are offering fire prevention tips. Nearly 3,000 people die in house fires each year, officials say, and many of those deaths are preventable. Fire officials advise that when homeowners clean out their fireplaces, they should put ashes and embers into a metal container and store it at least 10 feet away from their homes. They say anything that has been on fire, including cigarette butts, can easily reignite if not disposed of properly. Firefighters say it's extremely important that families plan safety escape routes and designate a meeting spot in the event of a fire. They also say to make sure all fire alarms are working.On Christmas morning, a house fire in Stamford was sparked by fireplace embers that hadn't been properly disposed of, investigators say. Lily Badger, 10, and her 7-year-old twin sisters, Grace and Sarah Badger, all died of smoke inhalation. The three had attended the Windward School in White Plains.

The girls' grandparents were also killed in the fire. Their mother and her male friend managed to escape.

For more fire prevention tips, go to channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and select the 'iO Extra' tab.Foul play ruled out in Stamford fire that left 5 deadWhite Plains school reeling after 3 students die in a fire