A 4-year-old girl has undergone surgery to her hip and shoulder today after a World War Two relic exploded at Anna Bay overnight.
Police say the child's father had been fossicking around a former military range and came home with a number of projectiles, one of which detonated at the Morna Point Road property around 10pm.
The 37-year-old and his daughter both suffered superficial shrapnel wounds and were taken to the John Hunter in a stable condition.
The property has since been secured, with Defence technicians attending the house and collecting several projectile items which were rendered safe.
Neighbours should not be concerned about further explosions occurring.
The incident has prompted police to issue a stern warning to residents to avoid playing around with suspicious objects.
Chief Inspector Brian Tracey said anyone who finds army ordnances should report them immediately.
"These objects wash up very often and what should happen, quite sensibly, is people contact their local police and say they've seen an item which they believe to be an unexploded piece of ordnance and Bomb and Rescue and the Department of Defence attend that scene and make it safe," he said.
At the time of a press conference at 11am this morning, police were yet to speak to the injured man, but said they have every intention to.
