diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index fc3511e..9db93f6 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -12,6 +12,10 @@ To attach the behavior put the following code in your model:
    				
    				// Define the attributes you want to be serialized
                 'attributes' => ['serializedData', 'moreSerializedData'],
+                
+                // Enable this option if your DB is not in UTF-8
+                // (more info at http://www.jackreichert.com/2014/02/02/handling-a-php-unserialize-offset-error/)
+                // 'encode' => true,
    			],
    		];
    	}
diff --git a/SerializedAttributes.php b/SerializedAttributes.php
index bbb30ae..7afd7ad 100644
--- a/SerializedAttributes.php
+++ b/SerializedAttributes.php
@@ -13,8 +13,17 @@
  */
 class SerializedAttributes extends Behavior
 {
+    /**
+     * @var string[] Attributes you want to be serialized
+     */
     public $attributes = [];
 
+    /**
+     * @var bool Encode serialized data to protect them from corruption (when your DB is not in UTF-8)
+     * @see http://www.jackreichert.com/2014/02/02/handling-a-php-unserialize-offset-error/
+     */
+    public $encode = false;
+
     private $oldAttributes = [];
 
     public function events()
@@ -36,6 +45,9 @@ public function serializeAttributes()
 
             if (is_array($this->owner->$attribute) && count($this->owner->$attribute) > 0) {
                 $this->owner->$attribute = serialize($this->owner->$attribute);
+                if ($this->encode) {
+                    $this->owner->$attribute = base64_encode($this->owner->$attribute);
+                }
             } elseif (empty($this->owner->$attribute)) {
                 $this->owner->$attribute = null;
             } else {
@@ -53,6 +65,9 @@ public function deserializeAttributes()
                 $this->owner->setAttribute($attribute, []);
                 $this->owner->setOldAttribute($attribute, []);
             } elseif (is_scalar($this->owner->$attribute)) {
+                if ($this->encode) {
+                    $this->owner->$attribute = base64_decode($this->owner->$attribute);
+                }
                 $value = @unserialize($this->owner->$attribute);
                 if ($value !== false) {
                     $this->owner->setAttribute($attribute, $value);