DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Oxford Hills Fire Prevention & Safety Committee would like to get the word out that we will be at the Oxford Fairgrounds on Sept. 12. There will be safety demonstrations, fire prevention literature, smoke detector information and lots of fun for the whole family.

The theme for this year’s Fire Prevention Week is “Smoke Alarms — A Sound You Can Live With.”

Many other agencies from the local area will also be at the fairgrounds. There is an admission fee of $1, and Smokey’s Greater Show will be offering rides for the youngsters for $1.

Thank you for helping us to spread the word. — Judy Knight, committee secretary, South Paris

DEAR SUN SPOTS: If I remember correctly, DeCoster Egg Farms has been scrutinized for operating under poor conditions for many, many years. I believe I remember articles being written regarding this situation back in the 1980s when I worked for the Sun-Journal. Do habitual offender laws apply here? — Lauren MacArthur, macarthur.lauren@yahoo.com

ANSWER: Sun Spots has not had much luck getting lawyers to answer questions such as yours that require legal expertise. (They will not offer free legal advice over the phone, partly for fear of repercussions.) Perhaps a reader who has that knowledge will offer some insights.

Meanwhile, Sun Spots suspects that Austin “Jack” DeCoster is not too worried. While he is the public face of the farms, which have been in the news for decades, he is undoubtedly protected from personal responsibility by the corporate shield.

In addition, the laws protecting consumers from poorly handled food are not as strong as you might think. For example, the Food and Drug Administration cannot even force a company to institute a recall if something harmful, such as salmonella or E.coli, is found in its products. The one exception to that is infant formula, which was the subject of special legislation in the 1980s. See the June story in Time magazine (http://tinyurl.com/2b3tepx) for more information.

Many people object to government regulation, but without it consumers are on their own, and most of us do not have the time or expertise to assess the safety of every product we use, including our food, much of which is grown or processed far from Maine.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am writing to thank the lovely person who helped to restore my faith in humanity.

I went to Hannaford and made a few purchases on a recent Saturday afternoon. My change was exactly $5. I put the bill in my pocket.

When I got home and cleaned out my pockets, the $5 was not there. I searched my car with no luck. Probably, the five spot had fallen out of my pocket when I took out my keys before leaving the Hannaford parking lot.

I did not get the chance to return to Hannaford until Tuesday. As an afterthought before leaving the store, I went to the service desk and asked if by any stretch of the imagination, someone had found a $5 bill and turned it in.

Astoundingly enough, yes, some wonderfully honest and kind person had done just that! Not only did I get my fiver back, I also got a much-needed morale boost. With much admiration and gratitude, I do hope you read this column. Thanks again! Jackie, miaferal1@yahoo.com

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be e-mailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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