PERSONAL ALERT DEVICE

A personal alert device for a user includes a portable housing to be carried by the user, a processor in the housing, and at least one sensor connected to the processor for detecting a possible physical threat to the user. The processor generates an alert message relating to a recommended course of action for the user to avoid the possible physical threat. The alert message may be an audible speech message, and a visual message displayed on a display connected to the processor. Since a person can be exposed to a variety of physical threats on any given day, the personal alert device carried by the user provides reliable detection of a possible physical threat, and by generating an alert message the user receives a recommended course of action to avoid the possible physical threat.