How do I be more safe?

When I play Akuma in 3S, I always feel like I’m being too unsafe and just mashing buttons in hopes of doing something. I don’t want to do that, so what can I do as Akuma to be more safe, but also still apply pressure?

I always get hit if I do cr.mk hado at close ranges, so how should I try and make space but also keep pressure? Or just not get punished too much?