article_snippet: And even before teens head off to college, parents should know about social host laws, where parents could be held criminally responsible or face civil damages if teens drink alcohol in parents home and then go off and do something inappropriate or even tragic.
article_snippet: Scary consequences for parents hosting underage drinking .
article_snippet: More than 150 cities or counties and 24 states currently have such laws on More than 150 cities or counties and 24 states books, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
article_snippet: In some cases, parents can be held liable even if parents didn't know the drinking was taking place.
article_snippet: If you've made it possible in your home, if you don't lock your liquor cabinet -- I never did -- and all of a sudden kids are drinking, that could be a problem as well.
highlights_snippet: Author Lisa Green calls this the "unrecognized area"  that parents of teens "miss all the time"
  In 24 states, parents can be held liable for teen drinking in parents home .