Xavier Dates is praising his 7-year-old daughter after her calm and quick-witted response helped him get the medical assistance he needed.
“It was, like, a little scary,” Mia Dates told WLS.
Dates’ mother was at work, leaving the child alone at home with her 41-year-old father, a railroad conductor, when the unforeseen event took place.
RELATED STORIES
“I was coming down these flight of stairs, right here,” Xavier recounted.
He explained that he somehow lost his footing while going down the stairs, slamming his head on the steps and quickly losing consciousness.
“I missed a foot or something and fell and hit my head here,” Xavier said.
Acting with maturity beyond her age, his daughter quickly responded to the dangerous situation to help her father.
READ ALSO: 8-year-old meets hero cops who saved him from icy pond, ‘We got you, bud’
Upon seeing him on the ground, Dates immediately called 911. She then remained on the line with the dispatcher, ensuring the paramedics could enter when they arrived.
“He needed to go to a hospital where he could get better. I’m glad the ambulance helped him,” Mia remarked.
Dates received praise for her good deeds from the village’s mayor, police chief, and fire chief, who all came by to commend her.
Lynwood Fire Chief Lashaun Alston said, “I read the notes from dispatch call. When you called, you were calm. You were collect, you gave a number. You gave an address; you stayed on the phone with the dispatcher the whole time till they got somebody here, so that alone save somebody.”
Dates has become quite a celebrity in the local community and will be honored for its courageous and selfless actions at an upcoming City Council meeting.
She is also scheduled to be celebrated by city officials there and will also have the opportunity to meet the paramedics who assisted her father.
Dates, a first-grader at a private school in the south suburbs, loves gymnastics and swimming. She explained that her mother taught her how to call 911.
Parents have a responsibility to equip their children with crisis management knowledge, according to Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Teaching kids the significance of 911 and the proper way to use it prepares them to be confident, capable, and ready to get help in critical situations.
The organization emphasized that it is important for children to understand the distinction between situations that require a 911 call and those that do not. An emergency that warrants calling 911 involves a person being hurt or in danger, such as a medical emergency, a fire, or witnessing a crime.
Children should be taught to trust their judgment: if they believe someone’s life or safety is at risk, it is always best to call 911.
The proud father credits his daughter with saving his life, expressing his deep admiration for her. “Mia is a smart and brave girl,” the doting father said.
The incident had a deep and permanent impact on the young girl, leading her to guide others who might face a similar situation. “I was brave,” Mia said.
Important tips that parents should teach their children:
Stay Calm: Encourage your child to stay as calm as possible. Remind them that the operator is there to help.
Know the Basics: Make sure your child knows their full name, address, and phone number. This information is crucial for emergency responders to find them quickly.
Answer Questions: The operator will ask questions to understand the situation better. Teach your child to listen carefully and answer as clearly as they can.
Don’t Hang Up: Remind your child to stay on the line until the operator tells them it’s okay to hang up. The dispatcher may need more information or provide essential instructions.
