Back in the day, historical rules gave farmers and ranchers easy access to explosives. Now, Albertans are finding dynamite and detonators stored, or forgotten, on their properties.

Corporal Paul Zanon, with the Explosive Disposal Unit of the Alberta RCMP, says when dynamite was purchased for jobs on the farm, or ranch, you couldn't just buy the amount needed.

"If you needed a few sticks of dynamite, back in the day, you could go to the store, but they didn't sell them by a couple sticks, they sold them by the box. You'd get your box of dynamite, and take it home, use a couple sticks, and store the rest."

Within the last year, the department has recovered 115 detonators, and recently recovered two grenades from the 50's.

"There was a fence line that was being taken down by some new homeowners, and one of fence posts had concrete in it, which was unusual, because none of the other ones had concrete. The contractor, from what I was told, took a sledge hammer to this ball of concrete, and when it split apart, two grenades split out."

One of the grenades was still live.

Corporal Zanon encourages people to talk with their parents, and grandparents, about potential places left over explosives may be stored, such as empty cars, barns, or sheds.

"We can't stress it enough. If you find such materials on your property, do not touch or move them. Immediately report it to police."

You can call your local police department, and they will remove the hazard free of charge.

If possible, the department says to take photos and send them to the police, along with the age of the device, its location, and the amount present.

 

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