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Woman Finds Live WWII Grenade in Mother's Attic

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2026/01/0 .. n-finds-live-wwii-grenade-in-mother-s-attic.html
  Published in House and Home on Wednesday, January 7th 2026 at 5:08 GMT
      Locale: UNITED KINGDOM

Woman Finds Live Grenade While Clearing Out Late Mother's House – A Harrowing Discovery & Reminder of Wartime Souvenirs

A woman in rural Ohio experienced a terrifying shock when she discovered a live, World War II-era grenade while clearing out her late mother's house. The incident, which occurred in Harrison County, highlights the potential dangers hidden within seemingly innocuous collections of wartime memorabilia, and serves as a stark reminder of the lasting legacy of conflict.

According to the AOL article and subsequent reports from local news outlet The Harrison News-Herald (linked within the article), Kayla Harmon, 32, was sorting through items in her mother’s attic when she stumbled upon the device. Initially believing it to be a prop or a harmless replica, she quickly realized her mistake. “I picked it up, and it was heavy. Then I saw the pin was still in it,” Harmon stated to The Harrison News-Herald. "I immediately set it down and called 911.”

Harmon’s mother, a WWII veteran nurse, had served in Europe during the war. The article details how she had collected various items during her service, presumably as souvenirs. While the intent was likely innocent – a way to remember her experiences and comrades – the grenade represents a significant and dangerous oversight. It’s common for service members to bring back mementos from war zones, but live ordnance is a particularly hazardous item to retain, especially over decades.

The Harrison County Sheriff's Office responded to the call and immediately evacuated nearby homes as a precautionary measure. The Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad, along with members of the Ohio State Highway Patrol's Hazardous Materials Unit, were dispatched to assess and safely remove the grenade. According to Sheriff Fredrick “Rick” Lane, the device was a fragmentation grenade, still viable despite its age.

“These things don’t just go bad,” Lane explained in a Facebook post shared by The Harrison News-Herald. “They can still function. It’s a very dangerous situation.” The bomb squad determined the grenade was an American-made Pineapple grenade, a common type used during WWII. They carefully transported the device to a secure location where it was safely detonated in a controlled explosion. No injuries were reported.

The incident has brought to light the broader issue of unexploded ordnance (UXO) and potentially dangerous military souvenirs remaining in circulation. While many veterans brought home inert training devices or deactivated weapons, the danger lies in items that were never properly rendered safe. UXO can deteriorate over time, making them even more sensitive and unpredictable.

The article notes the Harrison County Sheriff's Office is now using this incident as a public service announcement, urging anyone who discovers potential ordnance to not handle it. Instead, individuals are advised to immediately contact their local law enforcement agency. Disturbing or attempting to disarm such devices is incredibly dangerous and could result in serious injury or death.

Beyond the immediate danger, possessing live ordnance can also be illegal. Federal and state laws regulate the ownership and handling of explosive materials, and unknowingly possessing a live grenade could lead to legal repercussions.

Harmon, understandably shaken by the experience, expressed relief that she and her family were unharmed. She emphasized the importance of being cautious when dealing with items from the past, especially those associated with wartime service. “It’s a reminder that even after all these years, the war is still affecting people,” she said.

This event serves as a potent reminder to anyone inheriting belongings from veterans – or even discovering old military artifacts – to exercise extreme caution. It’s crucial to treat all such items as potentially dangerous until a qualified professional can assess them. The Harrison County Sheriff's Office’s proactive response, and their use of the incident to educate the public, are commendable. This near-miss could have easily been a tragedy, and the story highlights the ongoing risks associated with the long shadow of war.