Montco Celebrates 'National Condom Day'

Flowers? Check. Candies? Got it. A Valentine's Day card? Of course. Today's a national holiday, and you need to be prepared. The Health Department of Montgomery County wants to remind its residents to add one more thing to that shopping list: condoms.

Today's a national holiday after all. No, it has nothing to do with tiny winged-men in diapers shooting arrows. It's National Condom Day.

"As part of the Montgomery County Health Department’s mission to encourage healthy behaviors within the community, we will be conducting free confidential HIV tests and distributing free condoms and literature to students at two college campuses in the county," said the department's website.

The health department is spreading the message to keep residents safe.

"Presently, condoms are our best protection against sexually transmitted infections and HIV, and in preventing unwanted pregnancies," said the site.

The National Condom Day began in the late 1980s as the result of an AIDS awareness group's work to have it recognized.

"The group wanted to provide a positive message of condom use while educating the people about the need to practice safer sex," said the Montgomery County Health Department website.

While many are exchanging cards and gifts, the department wants residents to also remember to protect themselves.

"National Condom Day is a time to remind people to take responsibility for their own sexual health and to educate them on the risk they put themselves at if they choose not to use them," said the department.

Many sites are designed to help you find the right condom. Other resources can explain the best ways to put one on (see Condomology on the American Sexual Health Association's website). Still other sites out there, can explain the history of the prophylactic.

Are you too embarrassed to head to the pharmacy counter? With today's modern websites, you can even purchase condoms online.

Take some time today to educate yourself. After all, it's a "holiday."