(Editor’s Note: The following article was submitted by Janice Hardy, resident activity director at Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Ville Platte. This column runs every Sunday in The Gazette.)

Our homes are like a miniature ecosystem. It has everything needed to sustain life, which includes germs and bacteria. Here are a few tips for making your home healthier.

In the kitchen, clean contact surfaces. Bacteria breeds on moisture and organic materials on your hands, which then gets deposited on faucets, light switches, cabinet pulls and refrigerator handles. To sanitize these surfaces, you should use a disinfectant spray. The spray should stay on the surface for at least 10 minutes.

Use a hands-free trash can. This can eliminate contact germs. Get rid of those dish rags. They are full of germs. Use a microfiber sponge instead. Clean your sink drains weekly with a bio-cleanser to remove harmful bacteria from your sink.

The bathroom is a prime location for mold to grow. To reduce the moisture and humidity in your shower or bath, leave the exhaust fan running for 20 minutes after each use. Switching from aerosol cleaners to a dry steamer can zap mold before it has time to grow.

In the living room, have a no-shoes policy. Shoes can track all sorts of toxins into your home. Using these simple tips can help make your home a healthier environment for you and your family.



The staff of Heritage Manor would like to welcome Maryline Fontenot, Thelma Fontenot and Bertman Manuel to the facility.

Alexis Frank was the volunteer at the bingo game held Thursday, June 5. Big winners were Laura Ortego, Ruby Fontenot, Essie Lafleur, Vernon Soileau and Lou Fontenot.

Members of Epsilon Sigma Chapter 7809 sponsored a bingo game June 6. Big winners were Vernon Soileau, Annie Isacc, Carlton Soileau, Curtis Soileau, Carolyn Stampley, Florence Odom, and Laura Ortego.

On Saturday, June 7, a bingo game was sponsored in memory of Aline Foret.

Big winners were Warren Fontenot, Sue Guillory, Florence Manuel, Leanne Gradney, Dee Espree, Lucille Guillory and Verlin Berzas.

The staff of Heritage Manor would like to send get-well wishes to Joyce Brunet, Myra Johnson, Inez Doucet, Nancy Pitre, Nelson Fontenot and Theo Landreneau.