Daly City parents may be fined if underage kids drink alcohol at their home

DALY CITY, Calif. (KGO) -- With prom season around the corner, Daly City officials are reminding parents they could be fined if underage kids drink alcohol at their house.

The "social host" ordinance was passed last November.

It lets police fine adults if they host parties at their homes while kids are drinking alcohol.

Adults can even be held liable if they are away and their kids have a party at the house without their permission.

"If you are going away for the weekend, then have your neighbor watch your house. Have aunt Carol come spend the night, you know, lock up your liquor," North County Prevention Partnership spokesperson Mary Bier said.

Officials say the fines start at $1,500.

In a San Mateo County survey done over a period of five years, 51-percent of teenagers said they drink alcohol at home without their parents' knowledge.