I've never had a can explode, but I try to use them within a year of the date suggested for things that are wet packed. The flavor really does go downhill after that time.
And if you have evaporated or condensed milk on the shelf, be sure to shake it like crazy to recombine the product. If you forget, I don't know if the curdled looking mess you'd find would beat up with a mixer or not. Sis just poured hers down the drain.
Boo, is your pantry / cupboard or whatchamacallit damp? If a can begins to develop rust spots it will explode or erode away eventually.