Ask what the record really establishes
If the assistant says the family has no tent, ask which inventory it searched. “No tent listed in the camping box” establishes less than “We do not own a tent.” Use the narrower statement until someone checks the cupboard or confirms that the inventory is complete. The answer “There is no tent in this box” is narrower than “We do not own a tent,” and even the first claim needs a recent physical check rather than an old inventory.
Use three labels
Ask for observed fact, inference and unresolved question. In the camping example, the observed fact may be “The current list contains no tent.” The inference is “We may need to borrow one.” The unresolved question is “Has anyone checked the loft?” This structure lets someone act without confusing the suggestion with proof.
Decide how much verification matters
For a casual idea, a provisional answer may be enough. For a purchase or time-sensitive trip, confirm the item or ask the person who last used it. Save the confirmed fact back to the household record. A source citation improves traceability but cannot make an incomplete source complete.