A safety apparatus for use as a roadside warning device comprises a base, a light source disposed within the base and adapted to project light away from the base, and an alert system rotatably attached to the base. The alert system includes a plurality of arms shaped to form a visual alert member, wherein at least first and second arms are collapsible upon a third arm. A plurality of lights are disposed on one or more of the first, second, and third arms. In a first orientation, the alert system is disposed at a non-zero angle with respect to the base and the first, second, and third arms of the alert system are formed into the visual alert member and, in a second orientation, the alert system is collapsed and parallel to the base.