Probably the safest thing to do is to actually let them off in a controlled way. If they are Garden Fireworks the fuse should be long enough to give you at least 5 seconds to get away. If you would like some extra fuse just drop me a PM with your address and I'll put some in the post to you.

You can leave them soak in a bucket of water, but there is no way to know all the compound got wet. Which is why I say letting them off is the safest thing to do.

Fireworks don't have a use by date, so will be good to use for many many years if stored correctly.

Cheers

Cris