Zac Efron plays it ‘safe’ on the red carpet

Zac Efron attends the premiere of "Dr. Seuss' The Lorax." (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty …

Plenty of celebrities have used their fame to promote safe sex campaigns over the years stressing the importance of condom use for those who are sexually active. Remember when The Situation offered Bristol Palin condoms in a bizarre PSA? (She turned them down in favor of abstinence.) Or when Lady Gaga wore a latex-inspired outfit on "Good Morning America" last year to promote the cause?

Add Zac Efron to the list. Though the difference with his "campaign" is that it was all an accident.

While walking the red carpet at the premiere of "The Lorax" (yes, a children's movie,) in Los Angeles earlier this week, Efron dropped what appears to be a condom on the ground. Was it for certain? It's hard to tell, but based on the 24-year-old hunk's reaction, all signs are pointing to yes.

Here's what happened. While walking in front of the press lineup, Efron -- who voices a role in the animated flick -- reached into his right pocket and pulled something out to hand over to the woman in front of him (probably his publicist). As he handed over the note, or whatever it was, something else --small and square -- accidentally flew out of his pocket and onto the carpet. The 24-year-old hunk -- who's been spotted out and about with "Snow White" star Lily Collins lately -- quickly bent down to pick up the item and stuff it back into his pocket. Looking a bit embarrassed, the actor threw on his sunglasses, put his fist to his mouth to cover his smile and giggling, and turned away from the cameras while he gained his composure.

OK, so dropping a condom in front of a crowd filled with photographers isn't necessarily what you want happening at the premiere of a film based on a Dr. Seuss book. But practicing safe sex is nothing to be ashamed of. Bravo, Zac!

Take a look at the video below and decide for yourself whether the tossed item was indeed of the prophylactic persuasion. But the bigger question remains: Where was he heading after the premiere?