Items have previously been found inside homes, including an incident in 2016 where a grenade was found in the garage of a property on Moonya Drive in Wodonga.

Grenades have previously been found on former Department of Defence sites in the region, while army specialists were called to a Carboor property in 2009 when two grenades were found.

Inspector Glen Owen said anyone undertaking spring cleaning should contact the police if such a discovery was made.

“Over the years, members of the public have found ordnance in the clearing of deceased estates, including in sheds, wardrobes and even used as door stops,” he said.

“People may have also inherited ordnances such as war souvenirs but they can be dangerous if disturbed or handled.”

The devices have often been stored away by people who served overseas.

Inspector Owen said there were safety protocols which needed to be followed. 

“We urge members of our community who have any military ordnance including ammunition, explosives and, historical but dangerous, military artefacts such as hand grenades to contact police,” he said. 

“It is important for people to call the police and not take the items into the police station themselves.

“Police will co-ordinate the collection and arrange for their safe disposal.” 

The items are often detonated by members of the army after they have been handed in to render them safe.