I remember using some of Dad's friends as references when I was searching before. But it seems inappropriate as an adult. The best professional references are former supervisors or former team members who worked with you on a project and who have left the company. Potential references should always be approached with caution. Explain that the companies you interview with may call them and ask about your projects, skills, strengths, weaknesses.
Some companies call candidates' references during the interview process.
Others wait until after they make an offer. If no one you can trust to be a reference has left your firm, you may have to ask a current co-worker to be a reference. This is even riskier and should only be done as a last resort.