The most important bit of kit is the nut behind the stick. Best get your skills up to scratch if you really want to keep you family safe.
This is absolutely right. The vast majority of GA accidents and incidents are not caused by mechanical failure, or lack of a ballistic parachute, they are caused by pilot error, poor judgement or quite often, downright stupidity.
Your choice of aircraft is almost immaterial and the best investment you can make is in training and thereafter, in flying regularly to maintain currency.