Here’s what Stephanie Contrucci Kuhn and David Kuhn, co-directors of a program that provides behavioral therapy to autistic children at the Westchester Institute for Human Development had to say:

“Mike Savage’s recent comments are extremely insensitive and misinformed, to say the least. Research overwhelmingly indicates that autism is caused by abnormalities in brain structure and/or function. In recent years, such research has greatly increased our knowledge of autism and interventions effective in addressing and improving its associated deficits. With the incidence of autism on the rise, our communities struggle to provide and maintain quality programs for individuals affected. We, like other professionals working with children with autism and developmental disabilities, will continue to work and distribute accurate information regarding autism to parents, caregivers, educators, and community members and to work with individuals with autism in order to assist them in living fulfilling lives.”

The state Department of Health has issued a list of safety tips to address both problems.

Here is the list:

• Make sure children are constantly supervised by an adult when they are near or in any body of water.
• Enclose a pool, hot tub or spa with a fence that is at least 4 feet high with slats that are less than 4 inches apart.
• Make sure the fence gate is self-closing, self-latching and out of a child’s reach.
• Remove floats, balls or other toys from the pool and surrounding are immediately after use. (The presence of these toys may encourage children to enter the pool area or lean over the pool and fall in.)
• Prepare for drowning emergencies by having a cordless phone, emergency numbers, a first-aid kit and rescue equipment near the pool.
• Learn CPR, first aid and water-rescue techniques.

To make sure a child has the proper helmet and that it fits correctly, parents should follow these tips:
• Look for a bicycle helmet that has the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) sticker on it – which shows that the helmet meets CPSC’s standard for safety.
• Measure a child’s head circumference and buy a helmet that is sized for that measurement.
• For infants and toddlers, buy infant and toddler-specific bicycle helmets.
• Make sure the helmet sits on top of the child’s head in a level position, not tilted back on the head.
• Adjust the straps for a snug, comfortable fit.
• The helmet should not move side-to-side or front-to-back.
• Teach children to always keep the straps buckled when riding.
• Never use helmets designed for other purposes such as motorcycling or snowmobiling because they may cause difficulty maintaining balance or may disrupt a child’s vision, which can cause a fall or accident.

The Westchester County Department of Health, together with the New York Sports Club and other local groups, are sponsoring the free health fair for men at the popular health club from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. this Friday, July 18.

You don’t have to be a member to attend.

“Most men tend to only visit a doctor when they are ill,” said Dr. Joshua Lipsman, Westchester County Health Commissioner. “As a result, they often miss very important preventive health screenings that can detect illnesses in the early stages when treatment can be more effective.”

Free blood pressure, diabetes, and HIV screenings will be offered at the event, along with nutritional counseling, sexual health information, health and fitness advice, refreshments, and raffle prizes. Incentives, such as free gas cards, will be available for those who receive health screenings.

For more information, call the Westchester County Department of Health at (914) 813-5000, or visit the Health Department website at www.westchestergov.com.

The Department of Consumer Protection acted following recent inspections of 63 food stores. While overall, Westchester stores did better than in a 2007 investigation, the latest check finds the problem still persists.

“Things are better, but not good enough,” said County Executive Andy Spano. “The last time we issued warnings, this time we are issuing fines. Merchants must understand we will enforce the law.”

The stores with the worst results were three Stop & Shops stores: Larchmont (129 outdated items), North White Plains (123 outdated items) and Peekskill (113 outdated items).

Spano singled out for praise the A&P in Goldens Bridge, the only store where no outdated items were found in the current investigation; and the ShopRite group of four stores, none of which were fined because they had very few outdated foods on their shelves and no store with more than 10 items that were four days overdue.

Of the 63 supermarkets and other food sellers throughout the county inspected, investigators found an average of 30 outdated items per store. That’s a 66 percent reduction from the 88 outdated items per store that inspectors found late last year.

Fines were levied on those stores selling 10 or more items that were at least four days outdated. Total fines amounted to $85,425. Stores may ask for a formal hearing if they decide to contest the fine.

In addition, numerous other stores had fewer than 10 outdated items.

The county offered these tips for consumers:

• Always check the “sell by” date on the packaging

• Don’t automatically reach to the back of the display case, assuming that fresher items have been placed there. In many stores, inspectors found outdated items at the back of the display case, as stores had placed fresh items in the front and simply pushed older items to the back