diff --git a/lib/json/stream/buffer.rb b/lib/json/stream/buffer.rb
index cbefd8b..f9d9413 100644
--- a/lib/json/stream/buffer.rb
+++ b/lib/json/stream/buffer.rb
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ def initialize
       def <<(data)
         # Avoid state machine for complete UTF-8.
         if @buffer.empty?
-          data.force_encoding(Encoding::UTF_8)
+          data = (+data).force_encoding(Encoding::UTF_8)
           return data if data.valid_encoding?
         end
 
diff --git a/lib/json/stream/parser.rb b/lib/json/stream/parser.rb
index 33e7925..fbf51f5 100644
--- a/lib/json/stream/parser.rb
+++ b/lib/json/stream/parser.rb
@@ -102,8 +102,8 @@ def initialize(&block)
 
         # Track parse stack.
         @stack = []
-        @unicode = ""
-        @buf = ""
+        @unicode = +""
+        @buf = +""
         @pos = -1
 
         # Register any observers in the block.
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ def <<(data)
                 @state = :end_key
                 notify(:key, @buf)
               end
-              @buf = ""
+              @buf = +""
             when BACKSLASH
               @state = :start_escape
             when CONTROL
@@ -270,7 +270,7 @@ def <<(data)
               @buf << ch
             else
               end_value(@buf.to_i)
-              @buf = ""
+              @buf = +""
               @pos -= 1
               redo
             end
@@ -291,7 +291,7 @@ def <<(data)
               @buf << ch
             else
               end_value(@buf.to_f)
-              @buf = ""
+              @buf = +""
               @pos -= 1
               redo
             end
@@ -310,7 +310,7 @@ def <<(data)
             else
               error('Expected 0-9 digit') unless @buf =~ DIGIT_END
               end_value(@buf.to_f)
-              @buf = ""
+              @buf = +""
               @pos -= 1
               redo
             end
@@ -326,7 +326,7 @@ def <<(data)
               @buf << ch
             else
               end_value(@buf.to_i)
-              @buf = ""
+              @buf = +""
               @pos -= 1
               redo
             end
@@ -503,7 +503,7 @@ def keyword(word, value, re, ch)
 
         if @buf.size == word.size
           if @buf == word
-            @buf = ""
+            @buf = +""
             end_value(value)
           else
             error("Expected #{word} keyword")