A method of actuating a device, the method including: allowing a movable mass to move back and forth in a first portion of a passage upon the device experiencing a first acceleration profile having a first magnitude and a first duration; and allowing the movable mass to move to a second portion of the passage to actuate the device upon the device experiencing a second acceleration profile having a second acceleration lower than the first acceleration and a second duration greater than the first duration. The device can be one of an inertial igniter, a normally open latching electrical circuit, a normally open non-latching electrical circuit, a normally closed latching electrical circuit or a normally closed non-latching electrical circuit.