Using PHP Validation Code From Course In Production Code?

[Edwin Fernandez]

Hi all,

Is it okay to use the PHP validation code from the course "Form Validation with PHP & JavaScript", specifically the contact.php page to validate and send an email in production code, for a client website?

Anything else I need to add to make sure the client doesn't get hacked or spoofing emails? Do I need something else like:

filter_var($_POST['email'], FILTER_SANITIZE_EMAIL);

and 

filter_var($_POST['name'], FILTER_SANITIZE_STRING);

Are these necessary or is the code from the course safe enough? I guess I am just looking for best practices for form validation with security in mind. Thanks in advance for any help!

—Edwin