Hawaii's health department is warning that lead poisoning risks hide in everyday household items, and families with young kids need to check now, before any damage is done.

• Old paint, dust, and soil across Hawaii still carry lead from decades before it was banned, and toddlers pick it up by crawling and putting hands in their mouths.
• Only children's toys and clothing are required to be tested for lead; everyday adult items, antiques, and yard-sale finds are not, and many turned out to have dangerous lead levels when tested.
• Items like old ceramic tiles, picture frames, paint chips, and fishing sinkers can carry extremely high lead levels, far above the safety limit set for children's products.
• The first 3 to 5 years of life matter most, since that's when a child's brain develops fastest and lead exposure does the most lasting harm.
• Renters and landlords are urged to keep old paint sealed and in good repair, since peeling or flaking paint is a common way lead gets into a home.

Outlook: Health officials are pushing families to get young children tested and homes checked for lead now, since early prevention avoids health and learning problems later in life.