Tough safety standards for cribs going into effect

WASHINGTON — Beginning Tuesday, the government is prohibiting the manufacture, sale or even re-sale of drop-side baby cribs, which have been blamed in the deaths of dozens of children.

A new federal rule bans the cribs that have a side rail that can be raised and lowered to allow parents to place or lift a baby more easily.

A new generation of cribs expected to be safer will be the only cribs allowed to be sold across the country, even at neighborhood yard sales.

The new standards also mandate more rigorous safety tests for cribs.

Safety advocates say millions of drop-side cribs may still be in circulation in spite of recalls and efforts to warn parents of the danger they pose.