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Mom and Dad—Here are a few things to keep in mind when your son or
daughter tells you they want to have a party in your home or they would
like to attend a party at a friends house.
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Check
the guest list with your teenager and know who is going to attend.
Do not allow an “open party” where anyone can just walk in.
The party must be “by invitation only”.
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Set
a definite start and ending time.
Suggest daytime parties instead of evenings as well as
swimming, skating or renting some movies as an alternative.
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Set
the ground rules. No
drugs, smoking, alcoholic beverages, leaving the party and
returning, or uninvited
guests. Certain rooms in your house are off limits and the lights
should always be left on.
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Adult
supervision must be present, visible and aware of what is happening
at all times. Remember
that it is illegal to serve, tolerate or permit the consumption of
drugs, including alcoholic beverages, by minors in your home.
You are legally responsible for anything that may happen to a
minor who has consumed these substances in your home.
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Get to know your children’s
friends and their parents. If parents have driven
teenagers to your house for a party, consider inviting
them in to meet you.
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Before
allowing your child to attend a party, make sure there is continuous
parental supervision and no alcohol or drugs.
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Know
where your child is going and with whom they are traveling. When
taking your teenager to a party, walk them into the house and
introduce yourself to the host’s parents and take a good look at
what is happening.
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Make
it easy for your teenager to leave the party.
If there is drinking or drug taking or any reason that your
teenager wants to leave a party, make yourself or a designated adult
available to pick them up. Explain
to your teenager to never ride home with a driver who has been
drinking or taking drugs. Tell them there will be no punishments or restrictions if
they call letting you know things are getting out of hand
and they need a ride home.
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Be up to greet your teenager
when he/she arrives home from a party.
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Remember
that the police are often called to teenage parties when the parents
are absent. The two
major problems at these parties are uninvited guests and the
consumption of alcohol and drugs which lead to violence, sexual
assault and property damage.
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Quite
often, teenagers leave house parties and attend underage drinking (keg)
parties held in secluded areas or parties held in rented hotel rooms
(see Keg Registration below).
These functions are extremely dangerous and give rise to alcohol/drug
poisoning and death. Typically,
when something happens, the teenagers flee to avoid being “involved”
and leave a person in need of emergency medical care. Be aware of this
as it happens frequently. To
be on the safe side, check up on your child to make sure he/she is safe.
Above all, do not feel you are prying into their personal life,
teenagers do not realize the danger and the potential loss of life while
engaging in high-risk behaviors.
Parent/Guardian
Host
Liability
The STOP-DWI Office provides the following information in response
to the many questions we receive from parents concerning host
liability when teenagers consume alcohol or drugs in their home.
First and foremost,
understand that it is illegal to permit, tolerate or allow minors
to drink alcohol or consume drugs in your home or on your
property.
This would seem like a common sense approach to parenting;
however, some parents do not share this view and permit teenagers
to conduct unsupervised “parties” during which alcohol and drugs
are readily consumed. This situation compounds the problem of
underage drinking and substance abuse by sending the
wrong message to our children.
Be aware of this, as you not only have to protect your children
from themselves but also from some adults. Your diligence could
very well save the lives of your children and prevent a tragedy.
You (Mom & Dad) are responsible and can be held both civilly and
criminally liable for the acts of your children or their friends
if they have been drinking or taking drugs on your property.
Police will arrest parents / guardians who allow underage drinking
or drug use to take place in their homes or on private property
with parental consent.
Another point worthy of mention is the fact that parents are still
liable even if they are not at home
when the underage drinking or drug use takes place.
You can be held liable for the acts of your children and
their guests if:
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Someone is injured on your
property.
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Someone is injured off your
property after consuming alcohol or drugs on your property.
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Someone is injured as the
result of a motor vehicle accident, fight, or disturbance
and previously consumed or obtained alcohol or drugs on your
property.
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If a person becomes sick from
any substance they consume or obtain on your property.
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If your neighbors property is
damaged by those attending a party at your home.
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