Playing it safe is a very good idea if you know the question is going to be a stupid one.
Unfortunately, i don't know how to play it safe, so i've asked many stupid questions, which has proven me to be a stupid idiot at times, hence the reason why i use the search button on this site to research a point of interest before opening my mouth, and only then will i ask a stupid question if i can't find an answer to my stupid problem.
Sometimes you just have to suck it up, when being proved an idiot - some on here say that i'm an expert at it ;-)