About the only way to get good square cross cuts and/or rip a board to width with any accuracy is with a table saw. I have a Jet table saw and a Delta miter saw but no band saw.
Band saws do have their place in a wood shop (really wish I had one) but, when you think about it, they are just over grown scroll saws (but a lot more dangerous). It is just a lot harder to get good 90 degree cuts or hold a board to a given width when ripping long ways. Miter saws can give you 90 degree cross cuts and almost any degree miter cuts but, can not rip a very long board with much degree of accuracy.
I build a lot of different things....Bed headboards, whatnot shelves, end tables, small cabinets etc along with scroll sawing and I could not do a very good job without my table saw.
Common sense goes a long way when using any power tool. I always plan my cuts before turning on the saw. I will actually go through the motions of the planed cut with the saw turned off and watch where my hands and the wood will be as it goes through the blade when it is running. If I have any doubts that it might not be a safe thing to do, I will stop and re-think what I need to happen to make it safe.
Rog