We have coded a routine, which accepts the table name / alias as its parameter, checks among other things to ensure it is 'in use'. summary of this check is:

if .not. used( m.lcParameter )

select 0
use ( m.lcParameter ) ;
alias ( m.lcParameter ) ;
Shared && may omit 'Shared' for cursor / temporary / data entry files

endif

IMHO this is not much overhead, to avoid looking 'stupid'.