Federal safety violations cost Maine dollar stores thousands in fines.

Seven dollar-store retailers in Maine, including Dollar General, Family Dollar, and Dollar Tree, have been fined tens of thousands of dollars for federal safety violations since 2017, with three of the cases occurring this year. Many of the penalties were for fire- and safety-related hazards, including blocked exits, dangerous shelving, and outdated fire extinguishers. The businesses were also cited for unsafe conditions involving chemicals, including exposure and improper employee training. The settlements usually resulted in a lower amount than the initial fines.