Big Freeze...How We Prepare Up North

[Lambykins]

 We have a big freeze coming in. With the windchill, temperatures here are expected to plummet to -50 Friday and Saturday here.
So...we are preparing.
I am currently doing laundry. We may lose power, so I want everything cleaned and dried. Also cleaning the fridge later and getting the trash out. Precooking a few things to have on hand just in case.
Something I learned after moving up here is how to make a bed in anticipation of a big freeze or power outage.
Strip your bed.
FIRST LAYER: A good blanket or quilt.
SECOND LAYER: Bottom sheet as usual.
THIRD LAYER: Top sheet...I know a lot of people these days don't use a top sheet, but, trust me, it helps in cold weather.
FOURTH LAYER: Blanket, possibly two depending on weight and material.
FIFTH LAYER: Comforter(s) and then...
TOP LAYER: Quilt.

I know that seems like a lot, but MINUS 50 is a lot of cold!
There is reasoning behind all of this. I have wool, polyester and blend blankets. Two comforters and a decent quilt. My sheets are 100% cotton.
100% cotton sheets are your best bet. The microfiber sheets do not wick away perspiration, I do not know about bamboo or other natural fibers.

I am also checking all the doors and windows to make sure our plastic is not letting in drafts. I have extra blankets that could be cut to size to cover the admittedly smallish windows in the trailer.

If power goes down, we have an alternate heating source. We have used it before this winter when the power went out. Our cooking stove is propane. We fill big pots with water and boil the water on the stove. The steam keeps the rooms warm (kitchen and living room).

The trailer has been properly banked (yay!).

We have ample lighting. Tap lights, flash lights, a few solar powered lanterns.

I'll take a lovely hot shower in about an hour, wash up the last of the dishes and get the paper plates, paper bowls and paper cups out for tomorrow (just in case).
Trash will be taken out (pick up is Sunday).

Other practical things...have a GOOD pair of bedroom slippers to keep your feet warm. I have muk-luk brand, plus I wear socks with them. I wear my socks to bed, I know some folks can't cause it feels weird, but I appreciate the extra warmth in the wee hours when it gets cold.
Other practical considerations: Layer your clothing.  I will be going to work on Saturday. Already picking out my clothes. My warmest socks, usual underwear, fleece lined leggings, thermal underwear shirt, jeans, uniform shirt, sweat pants over my jeans, sweater over my uniform shirt, my uniform hoodie jacket (lightweight zip up over-sized sweatshirt) my timberland boots, and finally my super warm winter jacket I got for Christmas from NT2C. And my gloves (almost forgot). I might add a scarf.
Sound like a lot? It is.
Is it necessary?
Absolutely. Check out how fast -50 degrees damages skin and how fast hypothermia can hit at those temperatures.
Oops! almost forgot to get out my ski mask for Saturday. Add that to my list.

As far as adjusting my diet for these temps, I am adding a lot of hot beverages. Hot cocoa at breakfast, then some hot tea through-out the day.

If you live in the north (I'm at around the 45th parallel), how to you prepare for brutal cold when the polar vortex decides to visit? Any major changes in your routine?

[MacWa77ace]

So you put a blanket or quilt between the first sheet and the mattress?
Neat. Never thought of doing that.

[Lambykins]

So you put a blanket or quilt between the first sheet and the mattress?
Neat. Never thought of doing that.

I didn't either before I moved up here and several people advised me to do it. I used to have a featherbed (down filled comforter type thing) that is traditionally used between the mattress and the bottom sheet, but it finally wore out.
I had quite a few chilly nights until I was advised to do the blanket thing.
It reflects your body heat back to you and so many sheets and blankets sorta cocoons you in warmth.
It really does work!
I have a heated throw, but I usually use it in the living room to watch tv because when I use it on my bed I have a tendency to get tangled up in the electrical cord as I only have one dang plug in my room and it's in an awkward place.

[Anianna]

Also, if you get enough quilts on you, it feels like a cozy weighted blanket. 

When I lived in Indiana, we had "draft snakes" which were essentially tubes of fabric filled with sand that you put along your doors and windows to help keep the cold out.  In my room, the window wouldn't shut all the way and I had a big draft snake and a big pile of quilts.  I also wore a winter hat to bed and generally slept with my face tucked in my blankets. 

Our house was heated by a single fireplace.  My uncle got up in the wee hours of the morning to get it going really well again after it would die down to embers overnight and I'd run out to get dressed in the living room by the fireplace when I woke up for school. 

I do recommend having a good pair of gloves like ski gloves - not just knit mittens or something like that.  They should be waterproof and warm for working with snow and ice.  Wet hands puts you in danger of injury.  Same with footwear.  Have waterproof, warm boots.  Wet feet puts you in danger of injury. 

Snow bibs can keep you dry from the snow, rain, and ice and also keep you pretty warm outdoors.  They're like a coat for your legs and core.  If you expect to spend an extended period outdoors or will be doing activities in snow, invest in snow bibs.

As for the bamboo sheets, I find them to be chilly.  We got some because they advertised being cooling and my husband tends to sleep hot.  I freaking freeze when we have them on the bed.  I much prefer my sheets, which are jersey cotton (the fitted sheet can bunch a bit over time, but I have a Bed Scrunchie to keep the wrinkles pulled out and I can tighten it if it ever does bunch up).  In Indiana, I had flannel sheets.

[roadart]

YES, I know I am resurrecting a 1yo+ thread,,,after winter is over for most of us.  Just wanted to add a couple anyway.  

Flannel sheets I think are better than jersey, especially good ones.+1 on nice wool blankets,  we inherited a few vintage one ears back and they are in rotation even when camping.

Also  there are now 5volt blanket/throws we found on ali/temu that work fairly well.  They were found when looking for the electric mittens, socks, and vest.
We are cozy.