A Sandy Springs resident found a surprise while cleaning out his basement this week — a live stick grenade.

The man, a Vietnam veteran, brought the device to the Sandy Springs Police Department on Friday after finding it, authorities said in a Facebook post.

Since it was determined to be a live grenade, police called on help from MARTA Police Department’s bomb squad and the U.S. Air Force’s explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team at Dobbins Air Reserve Base. The experts were able to dispose of the device, and no one was injured.

Today, after finding a live stick grenade while cleaning his basement, a Vietnam Veteran and Sandy Springs resident...

Posted by Sandy Springs Police on Friday, November 12, 2021

Police said residents stumble across decades-old grenades from time to time, especially in the homes of veterans. The post said “a lot of servicemen and women brought (grenades) home from the war as souvenirs.”

If anyone finds a grenade or an apparent explosive device in their home, they’re urged to not move the item and immediately call 911.

“The item might be live or may be a dud, but it’s best to call us regardless to be on the safe side,” police said.

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