Actor Kiefer Sutherland has chosen to spend Christmas behind bars doing the laundry and preparing food for fellow inmates after he was jailed for drunk-driving.

The star of real-time drama 24 has begun a 48-day sentence in a Los Angeles jail after his second arrest for drunk-driving in three years.

The 40-year-old chose to start his sentence immediately after he was sentenced on Wednesday night, even though he could have waited until as late as February 12.

Sutherland, who plays counter-terrorism agent Jack Bauer in 24, was already on probation for a 2004 drunk-driving arrest when he was stopped by police as he left a Hollywood industry party at the trendy Area nightclub on September 25.

Authorities said he failed a field sobriety test after being pulled over for making an illegal U-turn.

He pleaded no contest in October to driving with a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit of 0.08.

Throwing a holiday party? Social host laws say you may be liable if your guests get into an accident on their way home. Here's how to see if you're covered. Plus, 7 tips for hosting responsibly.

It's holiday time again. That means many party hosts will be uncorking the bubbly, spicing up the eggnog or mulling the wine.

Surely, 'tis the season to be jolly, but if you let your guests get too merry, you could find yourself dealing with a lawsuit.

Under what are known as "social host laws," individuals who serve alcohol may be found liable if a guest who was drinking is later involved in a car accident.

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Be a responsible host. For some get-togethers, it may be easiest to simply not serve alcohol. If you're hosting a brunch or lunchtime party, this may be a natural solution.

If you are going to serve alcohol, take a few common-sense precautions:

• Limit your guest list to those you know well.
• Before the festivities get under way, let guests know you'll provide transportation home if their behavior seems questionable.
• Only serve party-goers who you know are over the legal drinking age of 21.
• Stay sober and serve the drinks yourself, so you know which guests are reaching their limit.
• Have plenty of food available, so guests aren't drinking on an empty stomach.
• Close the bar at least an hour before people will be leaving.
• If a significant number of young people will be attending a party at which liquor is being consumed, have them turn in their car keys as they enter and only return them when you are confident they have not been drinking.

Finally, if an incident does occur, notify your insurer right away. Some policies will exclude claims if you didn't provide "timely notice."

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